January 12-April 28, 2019
Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History
The Springfield Museums
Springfield (MA)—Too cold to play outside? Come to the Springfield Museums. We are open and ready for lots of BIG play, BIG toys, and BIG fun! Toytopia—an exhibition featuring larger than life toys, hands-on play, and immersive learning—opens Saturday, January 12, in the Wood Museum of Springfield History.
What was your childhood passion? Jump roping? Star Wars® collectibles? Baking in an Easy Bake Oven? Whatever was your favorite toy then and now, you’re sure to find it in Toytopia, a museum experience developed by Stage Nine Exhibitions. Toytopia is sure to rekindle the wonder and delight of your favorite childhood moments. This exhibit also offers a warm indoor place where you and your children can play all day in a world of big toys, said Kay Simpson, President and CEO of the Springfield Museums
Filling the entire great hall of the Wood Museum of Springfield History, Toytopia showcases specialty exhibits from toymakers including: Hasbro®, Duncan Yo-Yo®, Schleich®, Breyer®, Crayola®, KNEX® (Lincoln Logs®) and many more. “Our goal was to capture the essence of childhood wonder; that dream of being in a world of toys,” explained Troy Carlson, owner of Stage Nine Entertainment Group and G. Willikers Toy Emporium.
Toytopia is particularly well-suited to the Wood Museum of Springfield History because of its connections with Hasbro®. The Museum’s Hasbro Gameland has long been a popular family destination for hands-on, larger than life game fun, said Maggie Humberston, Head of Archives at the Museum of Springfield History. “This new exhibit will be so much fun for visitors, especially those who know the history of Milton Bradley toys in Springfield.” Visitors can visit Made in the Valley, also in the Museum of Springfield History, which features Milton Bradley toys among other Springfield Firsts. (Milton Bradley began manufacturing toys in Springfield in 1860. The company later merged with others to become Hasbro® in 1926).
Toytopia includes information on the development of iconic toys to help visitors better understand the history of toys! The exhibit features the following:
- The World’s Largest Etch A Sketch, close to 8’ tall
- Retro Arcade Area, with working classic games
- A life-size Doll House, with engaging play areas
- Life-size Monopoly car and game board, Visitors can sit inside for a unique photo opportunity
- LEGO Play Area/LEGO Wall
- LEGO Train layout, a fanciful working electric train layout runs through an inventive LEGO landscape
- A signature Jack in The Box that explores the science of toys, from Furby® to radiometers, plus magnetic interactive play walls
- Schylling Tin Toys – See how tin toys are created out of simple sheets of tin
- Keva Planks, Lincoln Logs and Brain Teasers play areas.
To find out more about Toytopia and exhibition hours, please visit https://springfieldmuseums.org/exhibitions/toytopia/
About Stage Nine Entertainment Group
Stage Nine Entertainment Group is a full-service developer of creative, unusual exhibits for permanent or temporary display. Stage Nine Exhibitions owns, operates, and tours six internationally-acclaimed exhibitions including: The Lost World of Dragons, Expedition: Dinosaur, Hall of Heroes, POPnology, The Animation Academy, Sweet: A Tasty Journey, and Rock U: The Institute of Rock “N” Roll.
For more information about Stage Nine Exhibitions, call 916-447-3623 or visit www.stageninedesign.com
Toytopia is one of the premier exhibits created by State Nine Exhibitions. Their exhibits have travelled internationally and have been displayed at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, Orlando Science Center, and the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver, Canada.
Springfieldmuseums.org, One Admission/Five Museums, including the one and only Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum
PARKING IS ALWAYS FREE!
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About The Springfield Museums
SPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS are located on the Quadrangle at 21 Edwards Street in the heart of downtown Springfield, Massachusetts. The nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated consortium of museums includes the Springfield Science Museum, the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, and The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, the first and only museum dedicated to the beloved children’s book author and Springfield native.
MUSEUM HOURS
All Museums:
Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm; Sunday, 11 am-5 pm
Springfield History Library & Archives (in the Wood Museum of Springfield History) Tuesday–Friday, 11 am–4 pm; first Saturday of the month, 11 am–4 pm
Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden: Daily, 9 am–5 pm
Blake House Cafe: Tuesday–Saturday
9 am–3 pm, Sunday 11 am–3 pm
