A Vulcan tea set. A communicator from the Kelvin timeline. Uhura’s earpiece.
If you know what those things are, you’re already freaking out a little. And if you don’t? You might still want to beam yourself to Lancaster to check out the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio’s new exhibition: Star Trek & Worlds Beyond.
Nearly 150 original props, costumes, and artifacts from Star Trek will be on view at DACO at the end of May, thanks to a collaboration with the Paramount Archive and the Trumbull County Historical Society’s budding Museum of Science Fiction & Fantasy Arts.
That means you can see everything from sleek Starfleet insignia to full-on Vulcan regalia.
Plus, you can take a deep dive into the design, merchandising, and cultural impact of one of the most enduring franchises in pop culture history.
Curator Randall Thropp (who manages the Paramount Pictures Costume & Prop Archive) says this show is a first for him. “For the first time in any of my exhibits, I’ve chosen to showcase in the Lower Gallery toys, comic books and other merchandising materials that support the longevity of the Star Trek universe,” said Thropp. In other words, this exhibit isn’t just about what was on the screen—it’s about how Star Trek lived beyond it.
And it doesn’t stop at props
There’s a full lineup of special programming this summer, including talks on midcentury modern design in the show’s aesthetic, behind-the-scenes stories from newly acquired screen-used props, and even a Star Trek jewelry-making workshop using Shrinky Dinks. (Yes, seriously.)
Feeling extra nerdy? Dress up and head to the Star Trek: The Motion Picture director’s cut screening at the Drexel Theatre in Columbus on June 10, where local Trekkies and experts will be there to dissect classic episodes and talk sci-fi legacy.
“This is a rare chance to celebrate the legacy of a franchise that continues to inspire,” said DACO’s executive director Jason Crabill. Whether you’re a longtime Trekkie or just here for the alien crafts, Star Trek & Worlds Beyond is making space for everyone.
🖖 Star Trek & Worlds Beyond will run from May 31, 2025 to August 31, 2025 at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio in Lancaster. Admission is free. For more info, head to decartsohio.org.
