Take Me There®: Peru is officially open at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis on July 12, fully immersing visitors in the vibrant and diverse culture of the South American country of Peru!
Highlighting Peru’s three major regions – the lively city and coast, vast Andes mountains, and lush Amazon rainforest – Take Me There®: Peru offers visitors the opportunity to experience Peru’s rich history and culture in a colorful, authentic environment. Throughout the exhibit, visitors will learn Peruvian traditions, culture, and ways of life in modern day Peru, as if you’re really traveling to the capital city of Lima, the Amazon rainforest, and the mountains of Cusco.
“Take Me There®: Peru brings the beauty, diversity and daily life of Peru right here to Indiana, allowing us all to embark on a new adventure,” said Jennifer Pace Robinson, president and CEO. “Our immersive Take Me There® series is designed to ignite joy, wonder, and curiosity as we explore a country beyond our own. We hope this new edition of Take Me There® featuring Peru fosters a deeper appreciation and understanding of the Latino community and their invaluable contributions to our world.”
The new exhibit is examined under six different lenses, allowing visitors to experience Peru’s art, food, music, dance, language, and everyday activities to discover what life is like for our friends in another country. These six lenses include:
The School
For the first time ever in the Take Me There® series, you can walk inside a re-created school classroom! Learn about a typical school day and popular student interests for school children in Peru.
Homes
Fully step inside the re-created Peruvian home of the Barriga family, who live in the city of Arequipa. Check out the Barriga daughter’s bedroom or learn about her dad’s passion for creating graphic novels based on Peruvian myths and legends. Explore what life is like for a family that lives in a rural community in the heart of the Andes Mountains.
Environments
Join in “feeding” and “brushing” alpacas, a significant part of Peruvian culture and the economy. After going high up in an Amazon rainforest canopy, get inspired by real-life efforts to preserve and conserve the ecosystem and endangered species of the Amazon rainforest at the Rainforest Research Center.
The Marketplace
Buy, sell, or enjoy goods in a traditional Peruvian marketplace, and visit a vibrant juice stall to “prepare” or “order” a tasty, fruity beverage. Visit the weaving center to discover the rich tradition and historical significance of woven textiles in Peru.
The Arts
Discover a diverse array of visual and performing arts! You can see examples of various visual arts, including retablos, quipus, ceramics, and silverwork, and learn about the influence of ancient artforms and techniques on modern-day arts and culture. Discover performing arts through traditional dress, musical instruments, and dance! Practice playing with Peruvian instruments with friends and family in a fun, interactive game!
Language and Communication
While many people in Peru speak Spanish, there are 48 Indigenous languages recognized and used throughout the country today. Throughout the exhibit, you can practice saying simple words in Spanish and one of the many indigenous languages, Quechua.
Take Me There®: Peru is the fourth installment of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis’ original and widely popular Take Me There® series, following Egypt, China and Greece.
Ready to take flight? Take Me There®: Peru has landed at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. ¡Hasta pronto!
