MISSION
The mission of The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures is to educate, inspire, and delight people of all ages by collecting, displaying, and interpreting toys and miniatures that illuminate diverse narratives and cultural heritage.
VISION
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures ignites curiosity and imagination through transformative experiences. In collaboration with our communities, we explore the meaning and significance of how art and play give meaning to our society and highlight our shared history through the lenses of miniatures and toys.
Learn more about the history of the Museum in a short introduction video HERE.
HISTORY
The Museum was established in 1982 as the Toy and Miniature Museum of Kansas City, featuring the collections of Mary Harris Francis and Barbara Hall Marshall. Operating in the historic Tureman Mansion on the corner of 52nd and Oak on the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus, the 7,500-square-foot museum had two full-time staff members.
Over the next 30 years with expansions in 1989 and 2004, the Museum grew to 33,000 square feet. During the same period, the collection increased to over 72,000 objects. In 2012, the Museum embarked on its first public capital campaign to raise $10.2 million to support building and exhibit improvements. The campaign raised $10.73 million, and the Museum began a 19-month renovation in 2014.
The Museum reopened as The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures on August 1, 2015, with the world’s largest fine-scale miniature collection and one of the nation’s largest historic toy collections on public display. The Museum’s collection currently numbers more than 93,000 objects – and counting.
Today, the Museum is a place where art meets history and every visitor leaves feeling a little younger.
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1982
The Museum was established as the Miniature Museum of Kansas City
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1989
Museum expansion
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2004
The Museum grew to 33,000 square feet during another expansion. With this expansion, the Museum was able to increase its collection to feature over 72,000 objects
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2005
Mary Harris Francis (co-founder) passes away
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2010
Barbara Hall Marshall (founder) retires
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2012
The Museum embarked on its first public capital campaign to raise $10.2 million to support building and exhibit improvements
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2014
Raising $10.73 million, the Museum began a 19-month renovation
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2015
The Museum reopened as The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, with the world's largest fine-scale miniature collection and one of the nation's largest historic toy collections on public display
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2016
Toys from the Attic exhibit receives Leadership in History Merit Award from the American Association of State and Local History
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2018
Playing for Keeps: The VFW Marble Tournaments, 1947-1962, exhibit receives Leadership in History Merit Award from the American Association of State and Local History
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2021
Barbara Hall Marshall (co-founder) passes away
our staff
ADMINISTRATION
MARKETING
DEVELOPMENT
COLLECTION/ LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT
Madeline Rislow, Curator/ Sr. Manager of Learning and Engagement
rislowm@toyandminiaturemuseum.org 816.235.8004
Rachel Wathen, Museum Educator, Volunteers and Group Tours
rachelwathen@toyandminiaturemuseum.org 816.235.8011
Faith Ordonio, Museum Educator, K-12 and Family Programs
faithordonio@toyandminiaturemuseum.org 816.235.8005VISITOR SERVICES
Taylor Pickering, Visitor Services Representative
WORK-STUDY STUDENTS
Zakiya Ramzan
Everett Dufur
Rahhaf Khalil
board of directors
MUSEUM FOUNDERS/ Mary Harris Francis, Barbara Marshall
OFFICERS/ Anne Manning (Chair), Susan Stanton (Vice Chair), Corey Ziegler (Past Chair), Al Mauro (Treasurer), Rachel Sterbenz (Secretary)
AT LARGE DIRECTORS/ Elizabeth Amirahmadi, Wolfe Brack, Dr. Antonio Byrd, Saralyn Reece Hardy, Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley, Troy Lillebo, Teresa Martinez, Margaret McGuiness
COMMITTEE MEMBERS/ Dr. Kristen Barber, Lori Beam, Eric Bosch, Maria Vasquez Boyd, J. Scott Francis, Julia Gargallo, Margaret Silva, Bob Simmons, Carla Smocks, Emily Wegner
HONORARY DIRECTORS EMERITI/ J. Scott Francis, David Francis, William Hall, Margaret Silva
Careers
Thank you for your interest in working at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. The Museum is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining a highly qualified workforce and offers a variety of career opportunities. At The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, employees enrich and develop their love of museums, history, and art while contributing their specific skills and talents to the museum mission. The Museum is an equal opportunity employer. For more information on our diversity mission, visit the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website. Join the team today!
2025 Summer Programs Assistant
The Summer Programs Assistant will work with the Museum’s Learning and Engagement team to help plan and facilitate the Museum’s summer programming for children and families, including summer camp and drop-in activities. Prior to May 28, the Summer Programs Assistant will focus on logistical and content-based development for summer programs at the Museum, which may be done. The Summer Programs Assistant must feel confident interacting with visitors of all ages and speaking in public. Please apply by April 11th for full consideration.
FULL POSITION DESCRIPTIONFill-In Visitor Services Representative
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures is seeking flexible and detail-oriented candidates for a Fill-In Visitor Services Representative role, which provides support when regular Visitor Services Representatives are unavailable and/or when additional Visitor Services staff is needed. This is fill-in position with availability primarily needed on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM) and additional possible hours on weekdays (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM) as needed. Compensation $15.00 per hour, based on experience, education, and internal equity. Application This position will remain open until filled, with applications reviewed immediately. Apply by sending your letter of interest, resume and schedule of availability to Mandy Farrow, Lead Visitor Services Representative at farrowma@toyandminiaturemuseum.org
FULL POSITION DESCRIPTIONSpring/Summer 2025 Research Fellows
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures invites applicants for spring and summer semester 2025 Research Fellows. These paid positions will play an integral part in a project funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to make the Museum’s collection more accessible in digital format. Working with existing collecting records in PastPerfect Web Edition, the Research Fellow is responsible for conducting more in-depth investigation to enhance the interpretation of the collection. This includes drafting object ID labels and narrative/didactic text. Please submit a cover letter, CV/resume, and three references by November 10, 2024 (spring applicants), or February 23, 2025 (summer applicants) at 11:59PM to: Amy McKune, Curator / Senior Manager of Collections, mckunea@toyandminiaturemuseum.org.
FULL POSITION DESCRIPTIONUMKC Work Study
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures invites applicants for fall semester 2024 work study positions. Please apply on Handshake or submit a cover letter, CV/resume, and three references to: Petra Kralickova, Executive Director at kralickovap@toyandminiaturemuseum.org
press
For further information or to schedule a press visit, please contact by email at info@toyandminiaturemuseum.org or call 816.235.8009.
PRESS KITS
Museum Fact Sheet 2023
PHOTOGRAPHY
For high-resolution images of the Museum and collection, please email to info@toyandminiaturemuseum.org or call 816.235.8009.
Please review the Museum’s photography rights and permissions.
ANNUAL REPORTS & FINANCIALS
2018 Audit
2018 990
2019 Audit
2019 990
2020 Audit
2020 990
2021 Audit
2021 990
2022 Audit
2022 990
