Mary and Her Monster:
Mary Shelley and the World that Created Frankenstein
Client/Company: The Bakken Museum
Project Description: Mary and Her Monster explores the life of the remarkable young Mary Shelley and her timeless story of Frankenstein, the first sci-fi novel. Visitors immerse themselves in a 19th-century parlor setting, similar to where Mary and her friends gathered to tell ghost stories. Through fun and thought-provoking activities, visitors can examine Mary’s scientific and cultural influences, pose questions about ethics in science, and discover parallels between their own experiences and Mary’s life.
Activities include re-creations of period experiments related to the science of Mary’s time. A graphic-novel-style puzzle and puppet theater help visitors learn the story of Frankenstein, and an interactive portrait gallery brings Mary’s story to life. Visitors get to know Mary, the struggles she faced, and how she came to write this popular tale. The exhibit In Mary’s Shoe’s received the Juror’s Choice award at the Excellence in Exhibition Label Writing Competition.
Julie’s Role: Project Manager / Exhibit Developer / Writer
I joined The Bakken team shortly after the museum received a Museums for America grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services after a three-year process. Serving as the project’s manager, I coordinated aspects of the project from our kickoff charrette with local museum professionals and other consultants, to exhibit and graphic design, to final printing and installation. I spent the first seven months collaborating with our core team to refine existing ideas and develop new concepts. Once production kicked in, I was the primary researcher and writer, writing approximately 80% of the text panels, instructional signage, and media scripts while editing the rest. I also supervised all researchers and interns, cast voice and on-screen talent, and directed a video shoot with an actress playing Mary.
"Mary and Her Monster" is created in an early-19th-century parlor setting with period furniture. Image credit: The Bakken Museum
An actress portrays Mary Shelley answering questions about her family, friends, and "Frankenstein." Image credit: The Bakken Museum
Visitors blow up water, trace some of Mary's pivotal decisions, and write down their own scary stories. Image credit: The Bakken Museum
Artifacts, books, and activities demonstrate Mary's influences in the "Magic Bookcase." Image credit: The Bakken Museum
Text panel in the "Magic Bookcase" about arctic exploration. Image credit: The Bakken Museum
Visitors can watch an animated scene, take personality quizzes, and comb through Mary's writings. Image credit: The Bakken Museum
Young visitors enjoy putting on a puppet show. Image credit: The Bakken Museum
The puppet theater is one of three activities design to help visitors learn the story of "Frankenstein." Image credit: The Bakken Museum
Original illustration of "The Monster," by Zak Sally with whom I closely collaborated. Image Credit: The Bakken Museum
A graphic-novel-style puzzle of the "Frankenstein" story with original illustrations. Image credit: The Bakken Museum / Artist: Zak Sally
Visitors make their own monster using a magnetic board and pieces. Image credit: The Bakken Museum
Working with Teens
During the course of design, development, and production, it was critical to get consistent feedback from teenagers, our core audience. I worked very closely with the project’s evaluator to develop methods and techniques to test content and functionality with teens and visitors at large. After cultivating a relationship with a local high school software design class, they programmed a touchscreen interactive quiz for the exhibit. I shepherded them through the process from wireframing through testing and final review. In addition, I supervised a group of high school interns as they researched furniture for our parlor space, conducted image and content research, and wrote exhibit text. Since the exhibit opened, my colleagues and I have presented at conferences about our innovative work with teens in our community.
Video about the partnership between The Bakken Museum and The Blake School.
Video credit: The Blake School