Scent has a powerful impact on emotion and memory due to its direct connection to the brain’s limbic system, which governs emotions and recall. When used in storytelling—whether in cultural and heritage museum exhibits, themed environments, or films—scent can deepen engagement, evoke nostalgia, and create immersive, multisensory experiences. Scent in museums can add a layer of authenticity and transport visitors through time and space.
According to a recent article from Attractions Management, a major study has found that culture and heritage are good for our health and the economy.
- A government-commissioned review is the first major UK study to quantify the impact of consuming arts and heritage.
- The study found strong benefits of cultural and heritage engagement on both individual health and well-being outcomes, as well as an increase in professional and personal productivity.
- The estimated economic benefit of engaging in cultural activities ranges from £200m to £8bn a year.
Smells Like Spaghetti Sauce
Smells can have positive as well as negative effects on the nose. Popular aromas can uplift the spirit, which adds to the overall health of the mind, body, and spirit. Negative odors can have the opposite effect and cause a fight-or-flight response. A person will remember a “flower” smell versus a “garbage” odor and associate their personal experience with the content of the exhibit. In a cultural exhibit such as an Italian American Heritage Festa scene that has introduced the smell of spaghetti sauce can invite a welcome immersive response. It can evoke childhood memories or “the old country” and enhance the guest experience.
Keeping this in mind, exploring the impact of scent in such exhibits shows that scent can further enhance cultural and heritage exhibits by adding scents to illustrate different actions and artifacts within a particular genre. Smells, such as ancient spices, wood, or incense, can depict a sense of time and space by bringing authenticity to storytelling while building a connection with the audience. For example, scent in an Egyptian cultural exhibit can help a viewer identify with a mummy by giving a hint of mystery to the scene. In a recent CNN finding, mummies have a “woody, spicy, and sweet smell.”
Adding scents to exhibits that depict daily life, religious ceremonies, or even hardships can make an abstract concept more tangible. Blending scent with visuals, sounds, and textures can strengthen an exhibit or artist’s message and subtly prepare audiences for an emotional moment. As such, certain scents can be associated with specific characters or moods to reinforce narrative elements.
Easily Integrated Scent Technology
Scent technology used in exhibits and cultural environments can be scaled to a room, venue, building, or scene. A scent machine can distribute a particular scent to an entire room (without overwhelming the whole venue) and synchronize to a soundtrack or timed experience. Interactive scent stations that allow attendees to trigger a scent experience with touch can be an up-close and personal engagement that immerses the user in the story.
Using scent in cultural exhibits enhances visitor engagement by creating a multisensory experience that deepens emotional and cognitive connections to the subject matter. Scents can evoke memories, transport visitors to specific times and places, and provide a richer understanding of different cultures by immersing them in authentic aromas associated with traditions, environments, or historical events. By integrating scent, curators can transform exhibits from purely visual experiences into immersive journeys that stimulate curiosity and leave lasting impressions.
SensoryCo’s scent systems are used in museums and exhibits around the globe. Some of our notable scent experiences can be found here:
Quake of Lisbon Historical Exhibit
SensoryCo delivered two SmXT1, high-intensity, variable-output scent systems and our proprietary scent cartridges, which distribute the aromas and odors of wine, freshly baked bread, incense, fish, and burning wood. Read more about this project here.
Mystic Aquarium
SensoryCo’s SmX4DT system distributes the smells of Moss, Fish Market, and Sulfur to mimic the volcanic sulfur smell of steam most likely part of a dinosaur’s atmosphere. The ability to create a complete sensory immersion into a bygone era allows for a unique comprehension of this world. Read more about this project here.