The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York is opening a Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) exhibit next month.
‘Dungeons & Dragons: 50 Years of Storytelling’ is launching at the Strong on 21 September and runs through January 2025.
The new exhibit will explore five decades of D&D through rare artefacts, prototypes, fantasy artwork and immersive experiences.
Guests will enjoy 20 immersive realms, each unveiling a chapter of D&D’s history, as well as interactive elements that bring the fantasy tabletop role-playing game to life.
Visitors can create their own characters, monsters and dungeons, take a quiz to find out their character class, and test their skills as a Dungeon Master in a campaign challenge.
Rare objects on display will include the first-edition D&D set, and the inaugural issue of Dragon magazine sent to co-creator Gary Gygax.
“Since its creation in 1974, Dungeons & Dragons has captured the imaginations of millions worldwide and paved the way for a new era of interactive storytelling and role-playing games,” said Jon-Paul Dyson, senior VP for exhibits and interpretive resources at the Strong National Museum of Play.
“This exhibit offers an exciting opportunity to explore the game’s rich history, showcasing the creativity and innovation that Dungeons & Dragons has inspired over the past 50 years.
Immersive experiences at the Strong
“From the first-edition game and original artwork to iconic character designs and dungeon maps, visitors will see first-hand the game’s evolution and its lasting impact on popular culture.”
The Strong is the only collections-based museum in the world dedicated to the history and exploration of play.
Last year, the museum opened its 90,000-square-foot expansion, which boasts the world’s largest, playable Donkey Kong arcade machine.
In more news, Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast are taking the first-ever official Dungeons & Dragons theatrical experience on tour across the US.
Images courtesy of the Strong National Museum of Play
