Unlike the film’s famous opening line, it wasn’t really all that long ago, or all that far away that the creation of the Star Wars universe took place; it was the mid-1970s in Marin County where George Lucas and his team of special effects magic makers would forever change the way movies are made, and launched a genuine cross-generational cultural phenomenon.

In the 36 years since the first film blasted its way onto movie screens around the globe, countless imaginations have been sparked by the science fiction series’ out-of-this-world settings and fantastical technologies—and a new exhibit in San Jose celebrates that fictional universe and also explores the science and technology within it that exists in our own world today.

Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination is a 10,000 square foot geek Mecca that features a host of original costumes, models and props from all six of the franchise’s movies, along with a variety of hands-on and interactive displays that educate visitors about subjects such as robotics, space travel, prosthetics and more.

The show, which was developed by Boston’s Museum of Science in collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd., has been traveling around the world since 2005, and at the Tech Museum, makes its 20th and final appearance—in the backyard of where it all began.

“The Star Wars saga represents ground-breaking film making and a novel story line that has delighted countless fans for generations,” says Tech Museum president Tim Ritchie. “Small wonder, then, that the exhibition has, at long last, come back to the home of innovation: Silicon Valley.”

Kids—and kids at heart—that grew up with “Star Wars” will likely drool over the special items that have been brought out from the archives of the Lucas Cultural Arts Museum; the exhibit starts out with a series of spaceship models that will be instantly recognizable to fans, including Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing, an Imperial TIE Fighter, and the Millennium Falcon.

Many of the creature costumes from the Star Wars universe are also on display, including those of beloved characters Chewbacca, R2-D2, and C-3PO. The Empire and other antagonists get their due as well, with Storm Troopers, Jawas, and Tuskan Raiders all represented.

And of course, no Star Wars exhibit would be complete without the dark Lord of the Sith himself, Darth Vader. The legendary—and imposingly tall—black costume inspires awe and fear even in a static display.

Should the little ones feel the evil presence too disturbing, one of the original Yoda puppets from The Empire Strikes Back is not too far way, its gentle green skin and soft hairy ears offering comfort from the dark side.

Bay Area Star Wars fans will want the rare experience of seeing these cinematic treasures up close and personal for themselves before the exhibit ends its tour. In the words of the great Jedi Master himself: “Do, or Do Not. There is No Try.”

Find full details on the event here.