Star Wars exhibit draws Philly fans to Franklin Institute

By Eric Donovan
Senior Staff Writer
February 13, 2007

Sci-fi geeks and Star Wars fans alike crowded into the Franklin Institute this weekend to take part in the opening ceremonies for the museum’s latest exhibit, “Star Wars: Where Imagination Meets Science.” The exhibit opened Feb. 9 and will run at the museum through May. Among the opening festivities was a grand light saber fight on the museum steps to kick off the event, as hundreds of costumed characters and creatures from the popular film franchise looked on.

Eric Donovan - Hundreds of Star Wars impersonators crowded the Franklin Institute
for the opening of the new exhibit.

This is all part of the new exhibit at the museum, which features hundreds of props, models and costumes as well as several Star Wars-like modern inventions, in the hopes of showing museum-goers and Star Wars buffs alike that modern science isn’t far off from what people see in movies.

Among the Star Wars gear being featured are several interactive games and experiments, including a remote control robot very similar to R2-D2 from the films. Once again, this hands-on experience is meant to allow visitors and guests to better understand the technology of Star Wars as more than just an idea, but a reality.

Perhaps the most exciting part of the exhibit was the opening weekend festivities surrounding the event. While the exhibit opened at 10 a.m. Feb. 9, different events had been going on throughout the week leading up to it and also during the morning hours before its grand opening. The museum also welcomed educators from across the area to view the exhibit, as a way of enticing them back with students on field trips.

But a big Star Wars event is nothing without loyal fans in costume. However, this time, those loyal fans were actually put to work as part of the opening weekend activities. From Princess Leia to Darth Vader to even the lesser known Dengar the Bounty Hunter, almost every member of the Star Wars universe was represented at a large scale event held Feb. 9. They displayed reenactments of the film and put on their best Star Wars impersonations. Perhaps the most striking part of the day occurred just before the opening of the exhibit, when hundreds of storm troopers escorted Darth Vader down the museum steps. Buses stopped and people cheered as the event kicked off.

 However, it seemed the biggest hit was the costumed characters parading through the museum, creating a “Star Wars on Earth” scenario for all fans of the film.

“We are members of a group called Rebel Legion, which is an international Star Wars costume club…we dress up as Star Wars characters [for various events.],” said Cheralyn Lambeth, who played Princess Leia at the event.

The fact that these people were there was a major selling point for fans, who were lining up for pictures with the impersonators, some even asking for autographs. However, the Rebel Legion is more than just a costume troop; it’s a philanthropic group as well.

“We also do a lot of charity work at the children’s hospitals and fundraisers and things like that,” Lambeth said.

Although the Rebel Legion was only around for the weekend, the exhibit will be open until May, according to the museum’s Web site. A lot has gone into making this exhibit happen and the opening weekend was made through a combined effort from the museum staff and the costume groups.

 “One of the leaders of our group was working with the museum to help coordinate our appearance here. We’re also working with the 501st legion, which is the stormtrooper group,” Lambeth said.

Tickets are available through the Franklin Institute Web site or by purchasing them on site.

donovane1@lasalle.edu