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Martin Luther King Jr. Day seemed an appropriate time for our family to visit the Minnesota History Center, which currently features the acclaimed 1968 Exhibit through February 20, 2012.  Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis in June of 1968 and his death and the impact he had on America culture is one of the many seminal events of that year chronicled in the multimedia, interactive exhibit. As with all MHC’s displays, 1968 is a unique and effective blend of fascinating historical material for adults as well as a fun and meaningful way for kids to learn about our State and Nation’s past.

In wondering through the exhibit, it’s hard to imagine a more turbulent time in recent American history. In addition to Dr. King’s assassination and the subsequent riots that swept across the country, the Vietnam War, Tet Offensive and anti-war movement is well-documented,  both in terms of historical context and also the impact it had on everyday lives. To illustrate a classic MHC learning tool, the exhibit has a full-sized “Huey” helicopter on display, with a video projected inside the craft,  featuring archival footage and people from this area sharing their stories of the war.

Told within the context of a month by month timeline, the exhibit also tells the stories of the assassination of Bobby Kennedy, the Democratic National Convention, the rise of feminism and the 1968 Summer Olympics among other major events of that year.

In spite of the weightiness of these topics, lighter aspects of American life are also chronicled, such as the look of a common American living room, music, fashion, technology and other cultural imprints.  For children, there’s the chance to try their hand at a rotary telephone, typewriter, phonograph and other relics from the area. One highlight was the chance to create their own custom album cover, which can be emailed as a keepsake.

We had a chance to visit a couple of the other ongoing exhibits at the History Center. Weather Permitting is always a favorite. My kids can’t get enough of the “tornado house,” a  re-creation of 1960′s basement with a multimedia presentation of what it was like to experience a tornato that ripped through Fridley in 1965. Even Minnesota’s Greatest Generation offers kid-friendly displays and activities, including a period pinball machine and interactive drugstore soda fountain.

The 1968 Exhibit is around for another month at the MHC before it takes to the road for a national tour, check it out with your family, you won’t be disappointed. For more information on the exhibit, including timelines, a blog and videos, go to the1968exhibit.com. For more on the Minnesota History Center including tickets, hours and location, go to minnesotahistorycenter.org.