Toytopia exhibit to bring joy to both children and adults

Jan. 9, 2019 | Stephanie Trombley
stephanie@thereminder.com

Children play with the classic Etch-a-Sketch toy in front of the World’s Largest Etch-a-Sketch, standing at almost eight feet tall.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo

SPRINGFIELD – There’s something about the allure of toys that brings out the child in everyone. Whether it’s a retro toy like Teddy Ruxpin that evokes nostalgia, or a brand new invention such as Hatchimals, toys are magical. Especially to Springfield residents, who reside in the city where Milton Bradley developed the American board game.

To capture that joy, the Springfield Museums will welcome the Toytopia exhibition to the Wood Museum of Springfield History on Jan. 12.

Developed by Stage Nine Exhibitions, the exhibit will include memorable toys such as jump ropes, Star Wars collectibles and an Easy Bake Oven. Displays from toymakers including Hasbro, Duncan Yo-Yo, Schleich, Breyer, Crayola and KNEX (Lincoln Logs) will bring delight to both the young and young at heart.

Karen Fisk, Director of Marketing and Communication Strategy for the Springfield Museums, described why she feels Toytopia is the perfect exhibit for children and adults alike. “This exhibit invites people of all ages to play and have fun, pure and simple. For adults, many of the toys will remind them of their childhood favorites and they can tell their kids and grandkids stories from the past. For children, how cool is it to walk right into a dollhouse or sit in a Monopoly car, which is usually so tiny, you can fit it in your hand? It’s so cool,” she said.

Guests to the museum will find several ways to interact with the toys on display. The World’s Largest Etch A Sketch, standing at almost eight-feet-tall, is one of the major features of the exhibit. Fisk shared, “I’m pretty excited about the giant Etch-a-Sketch.”

Also featured are a Retro Arcade area with playable classic games, a life-size Doll House with interactive play areas and a life-size Monopoly car and game board.

LEGO fans will enjoy the LEGO Play Area, LEGO Wall and LEGO Train layout. An electric train actively moves through the LEGO Train layout.

For curious minds and builders, a Jack in the Box will be on display showing the science behind toys including Furby and radiometers. Schylling Tin Toys will teach how tin toys are created. There will also be play areas dedicated to Keva Planks, Lincoln Logs and Brain Teasers.

Although toys have undergone many changes in the past few decades, there’s sure to be a display that triggers childhood memories, no matter how young or old. Fisk shared, “The exhibits are accessible for people of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest. The smallest children might not be able to reach the arcade machines on their own, but they could with the help of their caregiver.”

Visitors can dive into the history of toy favorites with information in the exhibits that explain their development and vast histories.

Springfield is the ideal place to feature Toytopia. An American board game manufacturer, the Milton Bradley Company, was established in 1860 in Springfield. Milton Bradley’s first board game, “The Checkered Game of Life,” developed in the early 1860s, required players to avoid “ruin” and reach “Happy Old Age” in order to win. Modern society may recognize the game under the name “The Game of Life” or “Life” for short. While the traditional board game with plastic pieces and paper money can still be purchased, the game has undergone changes over the years. In one version, bankcards and a digital banking system are used in lieu of paper money. The game has also been offered on CD-ROM to play on computers or video game consoles, showing that toys are timeless.

As Fisk explained, “The Springfield Museums are particularly excited to host this exhibit because Milton Bradley began his toy company right here in Springfield in 1860. Many of the toys represented in Toytopia are related to the Milton Bradley Company, which later merged with other companies to become Hasbro.”

The Springfield Museums also has a Made in the Valley exhibit located in the Wood Museum of Springfield History, which includes select original Milton Bradley games. Fisk stated, “We will encourage all guests to also view our Made in the Valley exhibit to see some of the original Milton Bradley games and view the many innovations that made our home the City of Firsts.”

Access to Toytopia is included in the Springfield Museums admission price. Admission is $25 for adults, $16.50 for seniors and college students, $13 for youth 3-17 and free for children under 3 and Springfield residents. Admission includes access to all five Springfield Museums. Toytopia will be on display from Jan. 12 to Apr. 28.

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