Wednesday, July 1st, 2009
TOY & MINIATURE MUSEUM
Small World
At the Toy and Miniature Museum of Kansas City, it’s the little things that count.
BY DIANA LAMBDIN MEYER
BILLED AS “THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF NOSTALGIC TOYS, FINE-SCALE miniatures and marbles in the Midwest,” the Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City (www.toyandminiaturemuseum.org) is filled with dollhouses, train sets and toys from the Victorian era onward. But don’t let the squeals of delight from visitors fool you: It’s a place where playtime is taken very seriously.
The museum is located on the campus of The University of Missouri-Kansas City in a 38-room historic mansion built in 1911, and was founded by longtime friends Mary Harris Francis and Barbara Marshall.
The two were teased by Francis’ mother for having so many dollhouses and miniatures that they should “start a museum”—so, in 1982, they did.
It quickly became more than just a toy collection, however. Since it opened, the museum has acquired the kind of finely crafted, one-of-a-kind pieces of rare art that are appreciated by connoisseurs. Entire rooms that are devoted to toys from the Orient, Russia and Africa, for instance, explore the history of leisure throughout the world. It’s as much like a folk art museum as it is FAO Schwarz.
But the biggest “oohs” and “aahs” come as a result of the museum’s approximately one million marbles, many of which are considered quite rare and expensive. In the Marble Games and Gallery Room, a large kinetic maze delights visitors while a shooting ring encourages them to knuckle down.
In addition to its extensive permanent collection, the museum hosts special exhibitions. “Laborer, Craftsman, Artist: 300 Years of Fine Tools” (through Aug. 30) displays examples of the tools used by the craftsmen and artists that made the kinds of toys and miniatures found throughout the house. Coming in Nov., Barbie fans can enjoy “Barbie: Fifty Fabulous Years!” On the opening day of the exhibit (Nov. 14) there will be cake, as well as a doll preservation workshop so collectors can learn how to keep their favorite icon’s age from showing. After all, while it may look like fun and games, when it comes to collecting, this museum isn’t playing around.
