Downton Abbey: The Exhibition

Downton Abbey was a pop culture phenonemon for six seasons, drawing record numbers of viewers, earning the most nominations of any international television series in the history of the Emmys and spawning countless parodies.  We sympathized with the struggles of the servants downstairs as well as the trials and tribulations of the Lords and Ladies of the Abbey and always looked forward to more tea, more shade from the delightfully prudish Dowager, perfectly portrayed by Dame Maggie Smith. There were some heart-breaking deaths along the way (most notably Matthew and Lady Sybil), celebrations, scandals (inter alia a dead Turkish diplomat in Lady Mary’s bed and her short flapper-inspired hair cut #clutchyourpearls), broken hearts (usually Lady Edith’s), wrongful imprisonments, giant Christmas trees, cricket matches, delicious dishes from Mrs Patmore, whining from Daisy and plenty of creepy lurking from O’Brien.

I was beyond excited when I read about a Downton Abbey exhibition right here in New York City.  Located at 218 West 57^th Street, the exhibition allows fans to get closer to some of the most memorable moments from the show through displays of sets and costumes, moving from the daily reality of those in service downstairs to the lavish lifestyle of those born into an existence of privilege on the second level and finally to a display of iconic costumes from the show on the third and final floor.  The exhibition provides greater insight into the show’s historical and cultural context within which the show’s drama unfolded.

Once you enter through a set of double doors, guarded by Thomas and Mr Molesly, Mr Carson welcomes you to the self-guided tour and reminds you that he has a very accurate inventory of the ornaments in the house.  As you round the corner and enter the world of the servants, a hologram of Mrs Hughes appears to address you and welcome you downstairs.  You get to see the kitchen, Mrs Patmore’s domain, and the hall where the servants took their breaks, gossiped and danced around the piano.  This is also where the famous wall of bells to summon the servants is found.  There is an interactive touch screen with a series of questions to determine if you are suitable for employment at Downton and in which capacity.  One of the questions, for example:
One of your fellow workers is struggling to keep up.  Do you…

A)  Take on some of their work?
B)  Shrug and carry on with your own work?
C)  Report them in the hope of taking their job

It was a lot of fun – and I was most suited for the position of Valet by the way.

The second level begins with projections that recreate the house’s magnificent library along with several significant moments in the show’s six season run.  In the next room you have a close-up view the dining room table along with a lesson on dinner table etiquette from Mr Carson on one of the screens.  Furthermore, Lady Mary’s bedroom – and the setting for the scandalous death of Mr Pamuk, the sad death of the family dog, Isis and plenty of gossip and secrets – is also on display.  The second level has detailed information on each of the main characters as well as the show’s social and historical framework.

The third level features some of the show’s most recognizable costumes including the wedding dresses worn by Lady Mary and Lady Edith (both of whom walked down the aisle twice in the course of the show), the wedding outfits worn by Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson and Lady Sybil’s scandalous harem pants.  After a farewell message from the Lord and Lady of the house and Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson, as representatives of the servants, the tour officially ends and you return to the foyer and to browse the highly overpriced gift shop.

I am unaccustomed to an absence of lines and hordes of people anywhere I go in New York City, making it virtually impossible to get a photograph without someone’s head or cell phone in the shot.  So it was wonderful that the exhibition was a self-guided one based on a selected time of entry; the whole experience was a pleasant and quiet one that was not marred by inconsiderate and obnoxious individuals…just as a visit to Downton should be.