Traveling Exhibition Celebrates the Life and Legacy of Julia Child

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (October 19, 2026) – Discovery Place Science will host the traveling exhibition Julia Child: A Recipe for Life from October 24, 2026 through January 17, 2027, inviting visitors to explore the curiosity, experimentation and determination behind one of America’s most beloved culinary pioneers.

Through interactive experiences, the exhibition traces the people and key moments that shaped Julia’s life and career, showing how her willingness to try, test and learn helped transform American food culture.

“Julia Child was an innovator in the truest sense. She was curious, willing to experiment and never afraid to do things differently. What makes her story so compelling is that she turned that curiosity into something she could share with others. That’s a spirit we love at Discovery Place Science, and it’s exciting to give our visitors a chance to experience it through Julia’s story,” said Dr. Lisa Hoopes, Chief Science Officer at Discovery Place.

Pivotal, inspiring moments in Julia’s life are highlighted alongside the supportive network of family and friends who contributed to her career, offering a comprehensive view beyond her renowned status as a television personality and author.

“The Foundation, which Julia created to carry on her contributions, marvels at how Julia's example still inspires individuals to learn to cook and pursue their dreams as well as make our food more delicious and sustainable. As one of the most comprehensive portraits of Julia’s story and legacy, Julia Child: A Recipe for Life is not to be missed,” said Todd Schulkin, Executive Director of the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts.

Exhibition experiences and interactive spaces include:

• Replica “The French Chef” television studio, where visitors can operate a vintage video camera, mix “ingredients” and feel like part of the show.
• Larger-than-life “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” cookbook experience and Cookery Bookery section featuring original recipes, notes and correspondence.
• Interactive scent experience from Julia’s time in China and La Couronne interactive where visitors can hear Julia’s words about the meal that changed her life.
• Over 120 historical images, including photographs by Julia’s husband, Paul Child, and rarely seen images from Julia’s early life.
• “Dear Julia” interactive message station where visitors can write personal messages to honor Julia’s legacy.

“Our mission was to celebrate Julia Child’s profound impact on American culture and offer an immersive and enlightening visitor experience. Together with the Napa Valley Museum, we’ve crafted a journey that pays tribute to Julia’s culinary prowess and honors her tenacity and unwavering spirit,” said Jay Brown, Principal & Managing Director of Flying Fish.

Julia Child: A Recipe for Life is a traveling exhibition produced and toured internationally by Flying Fish, in collaboration with the Napa Valley Museum, under rights granted by The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts and The Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University and generously sponsored by the Kuo Family Fund.

“When we first presented a Julia Child exhibition at our Museum, we were surprised at her cross-generational appeal. So many visitors feel a personal connection to Julia, often because they watched her shows or cooked with her recipes alongside a beloved mother, grandmother or partner. Couples were moved by the stories of her life with Paul, women were inspired by her accomplishments as a trailblazer and kids were delighted by videos of her sillier moments. There truly is something for everyone in this exhibition," said Laura Rafaty, Executive Director of Napa Valley Museum.

Julia Child: A Recipe for Life will be open daily and at Discovery Place Science through January 17, 2027. The exhibition is included with general admission and is free for members.

Preview events: See the exhibition early on October 22 during an adult-only (18+) preview event and VIP donor preview + wine & cheese tasting. Tickets are required and can be purchased here.

Exhibition imagery: Images for media use along with credits and captions are available here.

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About Discovery Place Science

Located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, Discovery Place Science is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a leading hub for science learning in the Carolinas. Through exploration, experimentation and discovery, the museum’s educational programs, interactive experiences and large-scale exhibitions invite visitors of all ages to engage with science—cultivating curiosity, inspiring lifelong learning and empowering future generations of thinkers, innovators and problem-solvers. For more information about Discovery Place Science, visit discoveryplace.org.

About Flying Fish

At Flying Fish, we believe exhibitions can do more. Since 2013, we've partnered with leading museums and science centers to design, produce, and tour exhibitions exploring science, history, culture, and beyond, engaging more than 14 million visitors worldwide. Flying Fish was founded on the belief that exhibitions can do more when museums have the right partner. We've built a company around exactly that. The result is extraordinary exhibitions paired with exceptional tour management. From ideation to installation, everything we do is guided by creative vision, operational excellence, and deep institutional knowledge. We don't just produce exceptional exhibitions. We share them with the world.

For Museums. By Museums. flyingfishexhibits.com

About Napa Valley Museum

For over 50 years, the Napa Valley Museum has offered diverse cultural experiences of art, nature, and history through exhibitions, educational programs, and creative activities to engage Museum visitors of all ages, languages, and interests. With two locations: Napa Valley Museum Yountville and Napa Valley Museum of Art & Culture (“the MAC” opening in 2025), plus its NVM On Tour division, the Museum has emerged as a leading incubator of fun and approachable world premiere exhibitions like France is a Feast, Dangerous Games, and Tiki Dreams. It also stewards a permanent collection of art, artifacts and objects evidencing the history, culture and geology of the region. With hands-on participatory exhibitions and deep explorations of iconic artists from Picasso to Walt Disney, plus showcases of major regional artists, cultural movements, and historical treasures, the Napa Valley Museum values knowledge, promotes understanding, and celebrates all forms of creative expression. napavalleymuseum.org

About The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts

The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts was created by Julia in 1995 and became operational in 2004. Its mission is to honor and further Julia’s legacy, which centers on the importance of understanding where food comes from, what makes for good food, and the value of cooking. juliachildfoundation.org

About Schlesinger Library

Schlesinger Library is the leading center for scholarship on the history of women in the United States. As a part of Harvard Radcliffe Institute, they are devoted to catalyzing new research and to sharing it broadly with scholars and an engaged public. radcliffe.harvard.edu/schlesinger-library

About the Kuo Family Fund

The Kuo family’s ancestry can be traced back to the Tang dynasty’s famed military general Kuo Tzu-i (697-781). The Kuo Family Fund is established in honor of the Kuo family's legacy and its support for programs driving positive community impact. The Kuo Family Fund makes grants to support community and cultural programs, liberal arts education scholarships, and local non-profit wellness initiatives in the San Francisco Bay Area.