Sherlock Holmes Mystery /Sharon Miller

Sherlock Holmes is shrouded in mystery. And now, the legendary forensic detective is coming to life in Minnesota. Amateur sleuths can step inside Victorian London without leaving stateside. Sherlock Holmes: The Exhibition opens Oct. 20 and runs through April 2, 2023, at the Minnesota History Center in Saint Paul.

Visitors will follow in the footprints of the world’s most prolific detective, Sherlock Holmes. Moving through a series of clues, guests will be immersed in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s vivid stories. Doyle penned his first Sherlock Holmes mystery in 1887. For the exhibition, Doyle’s famous detective novels are recreated with history, science, culture, and a stage set worthy of a mystery masterpiece. will have sleuths surrounded with original manuscripts, period artifacts, and investigative tools used to solve a murder. Inside, actual artifacts will unlock clues and ignite the power of observation.

“I can’t think of a more fun or engaging way to learn about the historical process,” says Kent Whitworth, director and CEO of the Minnesota Historical Society. “Sherlock Holmes: The Exhibition goes straight to the core of our new strategic plan. This highly creative and interactive exhibit combines mystery with history to teach critical thinking so that visitors understand not just facts, but how to participate in a process that’s very similar to the study of history—with the mind of a forensic scientist and the gusto of a super sleuth.”

Mystery of the Man, Sherlock Holmes–Was he real?

While diving into Sherlock Holmes: The Exhibition at the Minnesota History Center, solve a mystery within the mystery. Sherlock Holmes himself–was he a real man or myth? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was the author and creator of the famous, fictitious Sherlock Holmes. Yet, the mystery doesn’t end there. Behind the fictional pages, many believe Dr. Joseph Bell is the true Sherlock Holmes.

Using Sherlock’s powers of observation, it’s interesting to note author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s relationship to that of the real Dr. Joseph Bell. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a 17-year-old-medical student and Dr. Bell was his teacher and mentor. Dr. Bell’s approach to science was revolutionary because he developed the study of forensic science. Dr. Bell was recruited by Scotland Yard to

solve some of the most baffling mysteries using autopsy science to solve the crimes. Handwriting analysis and CSI (crime scene investigation) were new tools Dr. Bell employed–and the same ones woven into Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s plots.

The exhibition takes visitors inside Dr. Conan Doyle’s study. Here, sleuths will be able to follow Doyle from his early med school days at Edinburgh University with Dr. Bell to his journey as doctor-turned-author. Next, visit Sherlock Holmes’ and Dr. Watson’s sitting room at 221B Baker Street, London–right in Minnesota. Finally, enter the present day where leading forensic scientists from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) contributed to the Sherlock Holmes exhibit. Fans will also find Holmes’ pop culture items–from books, movies, radio, comics, and more.

“Bringing this exhibition to our home city and state where it was designed and developed is thrilling,” says Amy Noble Seitz, CEO, founder and executive producer of Exhibits Development Group. “Museum visitors will experience the scientific and literary ideas that inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to create Sherlock Holmes, alongside Holmes’ methods for investigating and solving crimes as the world’s first consulting detective. They will visit their two worlds, including the very rooms in which all this took place.”

Some of these artifacts for the Sherlock Holmes: The Exhibition are on loan from the Sherlock Holmes Collections at the University of Minnesota Library. The university boasts the world’s largest gathering of material related to Sherlock Holmes and his creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Despite the fact that Sherlock Holmes is fictitious, that hasn’t stopped him from receiving numerous science awards. Even today, letters addressed to 221B Baker Street arrive with requests to solve crimes. Yet, he was a fictional character. Or, was he? The answer probably lies somewhere in between fact and fiction. Delve into Minnesota’s exhibition where science meets imagination–stay, play, and investigate. Just leave only footprints.

By Kathy Barnett Managing Editor

JEFFERSON CITY - If you are seeking an eerie, out-of-the-ordinatry Halloween adventure, consider the Missouri State Penitentiary. Many insist it is truly haunted - no props or fake scenery here.

Decommissioned in 2004, the Missouri State Penitentiary was the oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi. The prison was 100 years old when Alcatraz began taking inmates. When the prison opened in 1836, the Battle of the Alamo was going on in Texas and Andrew Jackson was in his second term. Public history and paranormal tours showcase the prison’s grisly past, including cells of famous inmates such as heavyweight champion Sonny Liston and James Earl Ray, the gas chamber where 40 men and women were executed, several housing units and the upper yard. In 1967 the Missouri State Penitentiary was infamously named the “bloodiest 47 acres in America” by Time magazine because of the incredibly high number of serious assaults on the grounds between 1963 and 1964. Reservations are recommended. Groups of 25 or more can book a private tour.

If you dare, ghost and paranormal tours are available for scheduling. Whether wanting to learn the ghostly stories of inmates or simply experience a real ghost hunt the ghost and paranormal tours are a great way to experience the otherworldly side of the Missouri State Penitentiary!

Due to lack of time, my editorial team chose a sampling of the twohour ghost tour that is available. Our tour guide was a former prison guard, an added bonus. He was able to share actual stories from his own experiences.

To continue the prison atmosphere, we ate lunch at Prison Brews, a convenient two blocks from the prison. Each booth was divided by cell bars to give the idea you are in your own cell. We ordered the pizza to compliment their handcrafted brews right on premises.