Da Vinci exhibition opens at Becker County Museum

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – The life and history of one of the Europe’s most famous renaissance minds, Leonardo Da Vinci, is officially on display at the Becker County Museum as the event hall opened to the public on Sunday.

The exhibit features more than 20 reproduced pieces of Da Vinci’s art and dozens of models, machines, sketches and even a mirror room that attendees can enter is see themselves in 360 degree reflection.

An attendee views Da Vinci’s Lady With The Ermine at the Becker County Museum on Sept. 16, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM)

A wooden paddle boat is displayed as part of the Da Vinci Exhibition at the Becker County Museum in Detroit Lakes on Sept. 16, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM)

Becky Mitchell, executive director of the Becker County Historical Society and Museum, said it was a lot to setup over the last week, but, with the local volunteers and event company crew, everything is finally ready and she thinks the community is going to be impressed with the result.

“I think it’s a little bit shocking,” said Mitchell. “I’ve watched the process all week long … and so now to finally see it after the fabulous crews, both local crews as well as the Imagine Exhibition crew, have kind of worked those problems and to have everything up. I feels great. I just wanted every last educational opportunity we had to be available.” 

For each of the dozens of displays, there are corresponding placards that give a detailed history about each item and, Mitchell added, she has dozens of lesson plans that she can provide school districts attending the exhibit that can focus on any range of classes from art and history to math and science.

“That’s why this is touted as an educational exhibit because there is just so much information that you can take away, if one took the time to read every little bit,” she said. “I think there is over 50 lesson plans that I can provide teachers … there’s math lessons, science lessons, engineering lessons, art lessons, of course, so there is a little bit of everything.”

Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is displayed at the Becker County Museum in Detroit Lakes on Sept. 16, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM)

Wooden machines are displayed as part of the Da Vinci Exhibition at the Becker County Museum in Detroit Lakes on Sept. 16, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM)

The Da Vinci exhibition at the Becker County Museum is still looking for volunteers to work shifts in the event hall and anyone interested should contact the museum office.

“If you are interested in volunteering we need docents,” said Mitchell. “We need people … just visiting with individuals and answering questions. Guiding people how to get through all the different exhibits and make some time and come. It’s worth it. It’s worth the $25.”

The exhibition runs from Sept. 17 through Jan. 7, 2024. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children with annual members of the Becker County Museum receiving discounted admissions.

Exhibit hours can be found on the Becker County Museum’s website and Facebook page.

Wooden machines are displayed as part of the Da Vinci Exhibition at the Becker County Museum in Detroit Lakes on Sept. 16, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM)

Wooden machines and artwork are displayed as part of the Da Vinci Exhibition at the Becker County Museum in Detroit Lakes on Sept. 16, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM)

Wooden machines are displayed as part of the Da Vinci Exhibition at the Becker County Museum in Detroit Lakes on Sept. 16, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM)