Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns and Mermaids at Fernbank

“It’s a U-NI-CORN!”the little boy screamed with joy as he ran to the center of the room at Fernbank’s Mythic Creatures:Dragons, Unicorns and Mermaids exhibit. Adults and older children moved more slowly through the show viewing the displays and reading the information that explains many of the phenomenal creatures we’ve heard about over the years. Pictures and models of legendary creatures were displayed alongside actual skeletons and fossils. Plaques offered explanations of how people from long ago could have discovered bones or seen images they didn’t understand and offered accounts of what these discoveries could possibly be. These stories were told and repeated, growing with each telling; the result is the folklore that has been passed down through generations. Throughout the exhibit are interactive stations where you can turn a handle to view how sailors could have seen what they thought was a mermaid or you can move magnetic parts to build a monster. My favorite was designing a dragon on an interactive screen. You choose the body, head, wings, legs and tail reading descriptions with each choice. When your dragon is complete it magically appears on the big screen above and flies or swims with other creatures in the scene. Seeing your own creation in action instantly is pretty exciting! As I exited into the gift shop I could hear the voice of a little girl who could hardly contain her excitement, “Mommy! Mommy! See the Mermaid?” The show runs February 19 – August 14, 2011. www.fernbankmuseum.org