6 Must-See Props and Costumes at the ‘Star Trek’ 50th Anniversary Exhibit

The EMP Museum in Seattle, widely known for being a geeky mecca, is adding yet another amazing exhibit to its halls: Star Trek: Exploring New Worlds. It’s the franchise’s 50th anniversary this year, and there’s no better way to celebrate than oohing and ahhing over the incredible collection of over 100 props and costumes spanning five Star Trek televisions series and many of the films.

With items generously loaned to the museum from Paramount Pictures and from personal collections, Star Trek: Exploring New Worlds is a one-of-a-kind exhibit. While it’s always a treat to see costumes actually worn by your favorite actors, curator Brooks Peck had a specific mission in mind: highlighting the issues that each Star Trek series tackled, often for the first time on television.

Alongside the props and costumes, you’ll find “Away Team Encounters,” interactive displays that draw visitors’ attentions to those issues and characters’ specific themes, from embracing diversity to understanding what it is to be human.

But let’s face it, seeing items you immediately recognize from your favorite Star Trek episodes and movies is just downright awesome. If you live near Seattle or plan to visit soon, make plans to swing by the EMP Museum with the kids to catch the exhibit. If you can’t make it, here are close-up looks at six must-see props to tide you over.

And I didn’t even mention that this is your chance to stand next to Benedict Cumberbatch’s costume from Star Trek Into Darkness and imagine yourself caressing the fabric… Ahem.

Star Trek: Exploring New Worlds is now open and entry is included in the price of regular admission to the EMP Museum.

GeekMom attended a media preview of the exhibit.

All photos: Kelly Knox