Authentic Smells For Museum Atmospherics

Challenge – Museums must balance their essential purpose by integrating preservation, history, education and entertainment to attract visitors. Providing a memorable guest experience is essential for sustaining these cultural galleries and encouraging repeat visits

Benefit- Introducing authentic smells for museum atmospherics can breathe a sense of authenticity and life into museum exhibits by creating, comprehensive, immersive engagement opportunities to enhance the guest experience.

Modernizing History

History is the study of past events and the pursuit of knowledge in our storied human experience. Exploring history is an adventure and a quest to seek wisdom and understanding about how civilization has evolved. “Tribal knowledge” (that which is passed down by word of mouth, from generation to generation, through narratives, language, documentation, stories, and legends) has long proven witness to our heritage. However, these stories can come to life when presented in the form of a physical scene, set or exhibit. Historic and cultural museums have traditionally housed memorabilia and masterpieces to showcase milestones from bygone eras. However, today’s institutions offer much more than the preservation of artifacts and a glimpse of the past. Modern museums have become destination experiences for guests to immerse themselves in a past, present, or future experience that allows them to dream in the moment to envision a different time or place. Incorporating authentic smells for museum atmospherics into a featured exhibit can create a compelling story that engages the senses and touches the spirit.

Source: David Barker – Ohio Historical Society

Creating Authentic Experiences Using Museum Atmospherics

Recreating history is a careful collaboration of curation, planning, detail, technology, and environmental set design crafted to attract and stimulate audiences. Modern museums have taken on the task of conserving and communicating concepts that appeal to tech savvy crowds seeking experiences that stand out. Entering a space that has been staged to represent a specific timeframe becomes authentically unforgettable with the insertion of authentic smells for museum atmospherics and 4D effects. The San Francisco Dungeon is a tourist attraction that has adeptly recreated historical events using 360° sets, special effects, and live actors. It is an immersive experience that takes visitors back to San Francisco’s early days by igniting the senses and creating live memories. Different scenes use scenting systems placed in the various rooms to release odors that add to each scene. A musty smell in the “dungeon” sets the tone but the sweet smell of blood in the butcher room grabs attention and gives a real feel to the guest experience.

Make it Unforgettable and They Will Return For More

Attention and memory have a close symbiotic relationship; memory is completely reliant on the intensity of attention, and attention requires enough memory to make sense of your surroundings. Passive activities or limited observations are not as effective as interactive exhibits. People want to be a part of the story, not told about it. SensoryCo scenting systems and authentic smells for museum atmospherics integrate easily into custom designed interactive exhibits to revolutionize access and retention of historical and cultural information. SensoryCo’s products and services include design, and production of scents, weather effects, and smoke effects that assist in re-creating scenes and environments or to express complicated concepts by tangible means. Creating lasting impressions with weather effects and scenting systems takes visitors on an unforgettable sensory journey and makes them want to learn more.

Sample Application Utilizing Authentic Smells for Museum Atmospheric and 4D Effects