This California Museum Is Home to Hundreds of Nature’s Scents

When visiting a museum, most people expect to see an exhibit of stunning art that provides visual stimuli and provokes thought and conversation. However, this exhibit that’s being displayed at the Aftel Archive of Curious Scents in Berkeley, California is a different kind of experience. It showcases a spectacular collection of rare essences by perfumer Mandy Aftel!

The Power of Scents

It’s no secret that scents have the power to evoke emotion and take people back to certain points in time through one-of-a-kind olfactory magic. That’s precisely what the perfumer, Mandy Aftel, had in mind when opening the Aftel Archive of Curious Scents back in 2017. Ever since then, this museum of scents, tucked away in Berkeley, California, has gained and retained the attention of people from all walks of life, from perfumers to individuals curious about the experience.

Aftel was inspired to create this unique museum and display her collection of scents by the small-town museums of California Gold Country. The perfumer knew there would be an interest in such an archive becoming open to the public because many of the clients who visited her studio enjoyed being shown around and were fascinated by her collection of scents and artifacts.

An Engaging Experience

Attracting visitors from Europe and Asia along with the museum’s Berkeley neighbors, the archive of scents is an experience to be had. Each item displayed in the archive was hand-selected by Aftel, and the collection took about 30 years to put together. This dedicated perfumer spent years buying centuries-old tomes from rare book dealers and antique book fairs alike, collecting ages-old perfume recipes.

Unlike in most galleries, where artifacts are secured behind velvet ropes and glass encasements, this museum makes it possible to touch and smell some of the different artifacts to fully appreciate the experience. Visitors can see items ranging from tin-lined antique apothecary cabinets full of herbs and spices to a taxidermy civet. One of the focal points is the “perfume organ,” which is a five-row display lined with vials containing hundreds of essences.

The Archive Is Enjoyed by Numerous Visitors

In addition to enjoying all the scents and artifacts the archive has to offer, many visitors get to meet Aftel, ask questions, and enrich the experience with her extensive knowledge, which she is happy to share. A ticket will allow a visitor approximately one hour to look through the indoor and outdoor parts of the museum. Visitors also get to enjoy a take-home kit that includes scent strips dipped in some of the natural scents found in the archive, along with a couple of other goodies.

If you’re a fan of smells and learning new things, the Aftel Archive of Curious Scents should definitely be a stop on your must-see museums list (assuming you have one of those). It’s a unique experience that is sure to stay with you for a long time.