THE GAME’S AFOOT, KIDS (AND GROWNUPS TOO)

NORTHBOUND DRIVERS on Interstate 5 in Santa Ana, California, encounter an outsized canted cube, the DiscoveryCube Orange County, a wonderfully interactive kids’ museum.

The DiscoveryCube Orange County, Main Street, Santa Ana, California.

The DiscoveryCube is also a destination this summer for Sherlockians of all ages, with The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes offering the story of Holmes and the forensic science that made him the world’s first (and possibly, the best ever) Consulting Detective.

Arthur Conon Doyle was a scientifically trained physician (not to say Watson’s literary agent). The Exhibition offers a look at several of his original manuscripts and other memorabilia of late-19th-century England. For instance, visitors can buy selfies produced on vintage 1895 photographic equipment.

The sitting room at 221B Baker Street. This and other images from DiscoveryCube/Sherlock Holmes.

Our investigation begins in Holmes and Watson’s 221B Baker Street sitting room, with a recording of Holmes himself describing a recent crime. Appropriately, Holmes’ words come to us through a period Edison Home machine.

“Where have you been? A man’s life is at stake….”

Next, we visit the scene of the crime and, with forensic guidance, seek clues to the crime’s solution. Along the way, there is plenty of interactivity combining kids’ learning (and fun) with proper Canonical matters.

The crime scene has many clues, if we know where (and how) to look.

Holmes, for instance, was a master at interpreting what chronicler Watson calls “footsteps.” Analyses of these footprints gave Holmes information on the height, weight, way of life and even the pace of the culprit.

An Exhibition sandbox has a visitor-operated footstep simulator providing clues.

The sitting room at 221B had a complete array of late-19th-century scientific equipment. In following up on clues, we’re encouraged to use only those techniques available to Holmes. (No DNA swabs, mind.)

Evidence makes use of scientific apparatus and methods of the era.

In returning to our own century, we see lots of Sherlockian influences on modern culture. Docents include six of the country’s leading forensic scientists who describe how they solve mysteries using Holmes’ techniques.

A multitude of today’s Sherlockiana is celebrated, but there’s also an evocation of a gaslit London.

The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes is the work of Exhibits Development Group and Geoffrey M. Curley+ Associates in collaboration with the Conan Doyle Estate Limited, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and the Museum of London. It runs from June 11 through September 7, 2015, at the DiscoveryCube Orange County, Santa Ana, California. General admission to DiscoveryCube is $17.95; kids 3-14 $12.95; Seniors 62+, $14.95; Discovery Cube members free. In addition to the General Admission, Exhibition cost is $10 ($5 online or members).

The game’s afoot, for kids and grownups of all ages! ds

© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2015