One of my family’s
favorite places to visit in Chicago is The
Field Museum. My children love seeing Sue the
Tyrannosaurus as well as all of the other dinosaur displays in the Field
Museum. The Mammals of Asia and the Crown Family PlayLab are always a big hit.
When I found out that the newest exhibit coming to the museum was going to be
the 1893 World’s Fair I knew it was time for another trip into the city.
The Field Museum was born out of the 1893 World’s Fair and many
of the original collections are formed by objects that were displayed at
the Fair. This is where the museum got thousands of artifacts for their
exhibits. But this exhibit is not just another exhibit. The museum has done
something really cool, they have made their 1893 World’s Fair exhibit
technology savvy. With the use of QR codes placed throughout the museum you are
able to learn more and interact with various objects.
Simply download of The Field Museum Tours mobile app and scan a QR code and you are able to see videos and
interact with artifacts in a fresh new way. It puts the tour in the palm of
your hand letting you navigate where you go next and how deep you want to delve
into the story behind an artifact. You can check out facts, photos, and videos
by scanning a QR code on various artifacts throughout the museum – all with the
swipe of your finger. This is a fun new way of embracing technology in an
engaging educational way. I loved it!
My
favorite interactions with the mobile app were the 360° views of the museum.
The boys loved the 360° view of the room with the Irish Deer in Evolving
Planet. They got a big kick out of all the bones! We also scanned a code at the
entrance of the 1893 World’s Fair at the Totem Poles for the mobile app that
took us on a virtual panorama that was very cool. I really enjoyed getting more
information than what was on the placard thanks to come of the videos on the
app.
The 1893 World’s Fair was one of the greatest
events in the history of Chicago and the exhibition shows museum visitors what
visitors to the Fair saw 120 years ago. Be it Fair memorabilia, large
projections, or Peruvian mummies – this exhibit is one that you will want to
take your time walking through so that you can experience everything. There are
even two digital interactives that give you the chance to have a more hands-on
experience through technology with some of the earliest of the museum’s
collections. I enjoyed hearing what some of the instruments that were played at
the Javanese village from the1893 World’s Fair would sound like thanks to the
touch screen digital interactive display.
If you are planning on
bringing the entire family to see the 1893 World’s Fair exhibit you should be
aware that you are not allowed to bring in strollers. There is stroller parking
off to the side of the exhibit where you can leave your stroller. I was very
thankful that I thought to bring my infant carrier so that I could babywear my
daughter and be able to take my time checking out all of the objects without
feeling rushed. The boys went through the exhibit pretty quickly – whereas my
daughter and I really enjoyed perusing and learning about all of the artifacts.
I was selected for this opportunity by Clever Girls Collective, however all content and opinions expressed here are my own.
