through the park to an exhibit

we took the m12 bus along west street and up to 57th street and got off at columbus circle where we walked through the park for a little bit.

everyone was out and the trees are slowly beginning to bud.

it was such a beautiful spring day!

our destination was the downton abbey exhibit. my sister was really interested in seeing this as she enjoyed the tv show so much.

while we waited for the doors to open, i realized it reminded me of a disney exhibit.

we began in the kitchen where we learned that all the downstairs sets were built at ealing studios in west london, about an hour from highclere castle. from what i read on the signs, the original kitchen and servants' quarters were not in the best condition for filming, and having a set gave them more freedom to set up shots. the bedrooms and dowager's sitting room were also rebuilt at the studios.

the central table used for all kitchen scenes needed to have its legs cut down on the first day of shooting, as the actress who played mrs. patmore, the cook was very petite.

the bell board . .

 the butler's pantry with a national encyclopedia set in the bookcase . . 

 some of the beautiful dresses that were worn by the actresses . . 

 gloves and jewelry . . 

the sign says that this is an original 1920's dress worn by the character lady edith.

it was rather exquisite!

 the dining table . . 

 and place setting . . 

rules about conversation . . 

and rules about where one sits . .

 beautiful bedroom furniture . . 

i would love to have a lamp like this!

my sister really enjoyed the exhibit and thought they used video to good effect with sets, costumes and story cards.

reading about our favorite character: violet crawley, the dowager countess of grantham, maggie smith's part.

i thought this comment was apropos! i really did enjoy how the series showed us the time period from 1912 to 1926, and how everyone struggled to find their place in a changing world. i especially liked how the series allowed the daughters of the family to reflect this change by each one challenging their position in an elite society (the youngest daughter works as a nurse and marries the chauffeur, the middle daughter takes on the editorship of a newspaper, and the oldest takes the reins of the estate to hopefully make it profitable in the twentieth century).

a last glimpse of costumes before reaching the exit (which allowed you to bang the dressing gong, which was used up until the first world war).

lady grantham's day dress from 1912 . .

and her summer day dress from the end of the series in 1925/6. such a difference!

 back out on the street . .


 the building they used looks like it was once an old mansion.

 we rode the bus until it got stuck in tunnel traffic . . (of course once we started walking, it moved past the worst part and passed us by . . )

 walking by the hudson yards . .

 british designer thomas heatherwick's staircase which you can read about here.

 the view of the yards from the high line . .

 having a much needed snack of gold fish and clementines . .

 
 it was a fun day and we were all tired and hungry and ready for a relaxing dinner at home.

 the neighborhood wine store was having a tasting . .

 
 so we picked up a bottle they suggested . . cambrian rock. i thought the label was interesting.