Highlights Archives
What Was YOUR Favorite Toy?
The Wisconsin Historical Society wants to know about your favorite childhood toy. Was it a teddy bear, a push toy, a doll, a toy vehicle? Was it a popular brand-name toy or game like Scrabble, Candy Land, Lite Brite, Tonka, G.I. Joe, Strawberry Shortcake, or Transformers? Or was it a homemade toy? Did you receive it as a present from a family member or friend, or did you buy it yourself? Does your toy evoke any special memories of growing up — of a cherished grandparent, a sibling rivalry, a birthday or holiday, a budding interest, a routine pastime, or even a compelling television commercial?
In conjunction with the Wisconsin Historical Museum's newest exhibit, Toy Stories, the Society is collecting reminiscences of childhood play. Visitors to the exhibit are asked to share their stories by writing them in a binder or by keyboarding them into a computer kiosk. Web visitors are asked to submit their stories on an online form. Selected stories will appear on the Society's Web site, and all stories will be added to the Society's archival holdings for future generations to read.
To "prime the pump," the Society approached dozens of notable Wisconsinites and asked them to share their stories of favorite childhood playthings. More than 50 people responded, and their reminiscences can be found both in the museum exhibit and online. Some of the respondents even shared childhood photos, and these may seen exclusively in the Toy Stories exhibit.
Society staff corresponded with a variety of Wisconsin celebrities, from famous athletes and entertainers to notable public figures and local media personalities. All were delighted to relate special memories they have of growing up and the toys that played a part in their lives. Several of the men cited Lionel trains as their favorite, with a number of others telling tales of toy vehicles from small Hot Wheels cars to large riding toys. Many of the women talked about dolls and stuffed animals. Other stories run the gamut from sports-themed toys, action figures and toy instruments to construction toys and playground toys. No matter what kind of toy was discussed, it connected each storyteller to a time and place that has special meaning.
A special toy probably makes that kind of connection to the past for you as well. If so, the Society would love to hear about it. And if you're interested in seeing classic toys and learning about the stories behind their design and production, be sure to visit the Toy Stories exhibit at the Wisconsin Historical Museum, open through May 26, 2007.
:: Posted October 27, 2006
|
