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December 20, 2021

The Long-Lasting Appeal of Betsy McCall

By Silvia Arellano Fernández, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art In May of 1951, McCall’s Magazine first introduced Betsy McCall the must-have paper doll of her time, created by staff illustrator Kay Morrisey. Betsy was a middle-class girl who was five-going-on-six, with cream colored skin and peachy cheeks. She lived with her mother, father, and a...

December 20, 2021

T/m2Go: Glass Minis

Fine-scale miniature glass artists use incredible techniques to create tiny sparkling works of art!  In this T/m2Go video, explore some of the glittering glass minis in the museum’s collection and watch our friend Bruce Breslow at Moon Marble Company make tiny glass marbles.  Then, download the activity page to try your hand at drawing a...

November 29, 2021

Holiday Toy: The Dreidel

Looking for a fun seasonal holiday-related toy to take for a spin? Look no further than the Dreidel! This spinning top game is played during the Jewish Festival of Lights called Hanukkah (the Hebrew word meaning dedication). Dreidel is actually a Yiddish word that comes from the German word “dreyen” meaning to spin. In Hebrew, we call it a...
2021 Philly Award trophy

November 9, 2021

T/m wins Gold at 2021 Philly Awards

Museum recognized for 2020 website re-launch KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures (T/m) won an Award of Distinction tonight at the 2021 Philly Awards for its re-launched museum website. The awards were announced during a virtual ceremony hosted and live streamed by Nonprofit Connect. The Philly Awards, now in their...
Watering Can

October 27, 2021

T/m2Go: Grand Gardens

Many fine-scale miniature artists are inspired by the beauty and variety of the natural world around us. In this T/m2Go video, explore some of the nature-inspired minis in the museum’s collection and visit with our friends at Kansas City Community Gardens to learn about the nature in our local area. After you watch the video,...
Homeschool Month group_2020

September 29, 2021

T/m announces second annual Homeschool Month at museum

Homeschoolers can take part in special activity; chaperones get free admission KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures (T/m), together with collaborating partners Kansas City Public Library, Midwest Parent Educators and WhatUpHomee, is proud to announce for the second year in a row that October is Homeschool Month at the museum....

September 15, 2021

Online Scavenger Hunt: Home Again

Journey A. Goodmouse is at it one more time! Read about Journey’s adventures in the journal below, then click HERE to create your very own mini book. Answers to the MINI scavenger hunt are bolded in Journey’s journal above. Download the activity PDF to create your own mini book to tell the story of Journey’s...
Azhelle Wade

August 31, 2021

Upcoming Meet the Experts features toy coach Azhelle Wade

Award-winning entrepreneur, inventor talks toys during virtual event KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Entrepreneur, toy inventor and cancer survivor Azhelle Wade, who has been named on three United States patents during her decade-plus career in the toy industry, will be the featured guest during the upcoming virtual event Meet the Experts: The Toy Coach, hosted by...
Cabbage Patch Dolls

August 30, 2021

T/m2Go: Just Like Me!

Baby dolls are long-time favorites that steal our hearts. In this T/m2Go video, learn about some of the ways toymakers have created baby dolls to be more realistic. After you watch the video, download the activity page to have fun talking with a family member about one of their favorite toys as a kid. T/m2Go...

August 24, 2021

A Barbie Mansion for Magical Keisha Clay

In 2020, T/m received a very special dollhouse donation: the 1990 Barbie Magical Mansion that belonged to Keisha Clay of Kansas City. The advertisement from that year promised a house, “Big enough to hold all your little girl’s dreams.” This was no exaggeration–the six-room house with a shimmering pink façade, measures three-feet tall, four-feet wide, two-feet...

July 9, 2021

T/m Preparing Resumption of Full Operating Schedule

Museum will return Sundays, Mondays to public openings this summer KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures (T/m) announced today that preparations are underway to resume full operating hours in a phased approach over the next several weeks. The museum will resume Sunday hours beginning July 11, 2021 and will add...
Journey in Breakfast_Room

July 2, 2021

Online MINI Scavenger Hunt

Journey A. Goodmouse is at it again! Read about Journey’s adventures in the journal below, then click HERE to take the latest online scavenger hunt through the museum’s MINI collection. Answers to the TOY scavenger hunt are bolded in Journey’s journal above. Download the MINI scavenger hunt and use the museum’s website to continue following...
Nintendo Entertainment System

June 29, 2021

T/m2Go: Video Games

Video games take our imaginations to other worlds. In this episode of T/m2Go, travel through the history of video games to uncover the STEM skills these technological toys can teach. You’ll meet two programmers from the UMKC School of Computing and Engineering and Kansas City Video Game Developers who use their own STEM skills to...
STEM exhibit entrance wall

June 28, 2021

Bridging the Gender Divide wins 2021 AASLH Award of Excellence

T/m exhibit recognized for achievement in interpretation KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) has announced that The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures (T/m) is the recipient of an Award of Excellence for its exhibit Bridging the Gender Divide: Toys That Build STEM Skills. The AASLH Leadership in...
STEM: Bridging the gender divide logo

May 11, 2021

T/m explores impact of STEM toys with Kansas City professionals

Virtual event Meet the Experts: Women in STEM set for May 16 (KANSAS CITY, Mo.) – The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures (T/m) will explore the impact of STEM toys on a child’s perception of gender roles and career choices with prominent Kansas City professionals during the upcoming virtual event Meet the Experts: Women...

May 1, 2021

Celebrating life, legacy of Barbara Marshall

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures (T/m) remembers the life and legacy of Barbara Marshall, the museum’s co-founder and a great patron of fine-scale miniature artists. In childhood, Marshall loved small things and often looked forward to getting the “smallest” present from her father, J.C. Hall. In the 1950s, Marshall...
Amazing Women in STEM

April 16, 2021

T/m2Go: Amazing Women In Stem

This edition of T/m2Go highlights four of the amazing women in STEM featured in the Bridging the Gender Divide: Toys That Build STEM Skills exhibit. Learn about these STEM role models and explore a few STEM toys that have inspired kids for generations to pursue careers in STEM. You will also hear from a friend...

April 15, 2021

Online TOY Scavenger Hunt

Meet our friend Journey A. Goodmouse! Read about Journey’s adventures in the journal below, then click HERE to take the online scavenger hunt through the museum’s TOY collection. Journey’s adventure is just beginning! Download the online TOY scavenger hunt and use the museum’s website to follow Journey’s expedition.  Find out what happened after Journey escaped...

April 8, 2021

T/m selected to participate in National Museum Assessment Program

(KANSAS CITY, Mo.) – The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures (T/m) has been selected to participate in the Museum Assessment Program (MAP), which is administered by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). Through guided self-study assessment and on-site consultation with a museum professional, participation in MAP will empower T/m to better serve its local...

April 7, 2021

Nell Corkin to appear on next episode of What’s On Your Workbench

Miniature artist takes viewers inside studio April 7, 2021 (KANSAS CITY, Mo.) – Renowned fine-scale miniature artist Nell Corkin will be the featured guest on the upcoming episode of The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures’ (T/m) new web series What’s On Your Workbench. Corkin will appear live on the April 25 episode (2-3pm) to...

March 5, 2021

Duffy named Senior Manager of Development

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures (T/m) announced today the hiring of Brenna Duffy as the museum’s Senior Manager of Development. Her first day at the museum will be Monday, March 8. Duffy will oversee the development and implementation of T/m’s strategic fundraising goals, providing critical fundraising strategy, planning and implementation for individual, foundation...

March 1, 2021

T/m2Go: STEM Toys Are For Everyone

Originally marketed primarily to boys, STEM toys are now created for all kids. Explore how these toys have changed over the years and hear from a few friends at Kansas City Women in Technology to learn more about their amazing careers in STEM. Watch the video, then download the activity instructions to “See Yourself in...
A Dinosaur Christmas

December 22, 2020

T/m2Go: A Dinosaur Christmas

What happens when Evergreen the dinosaur writes a letter to Santa? Watch this shadow puppet video of A Dinosaur Christmas, then download the instructions to create your own dinosaur kaleidoscope. Don’t forget to share your creation with us on social media, and share the activity with your friends!
Bowl image

December 4, 2020

Gallery Talk: Barber Bowl

Explore one of the museum’s most asked-about collection objects. T/m’s Hannah Bernardini is inside the French Gallery where she shares one of the museum’s most frequently asked about objects, the English Delft Barber Bowl by Jeffrey Guéno and Frank Hanley (Le Chateau Interiors). The origins of Delftware, heavily influenced by Chinese porcelain, trace back to...

November 26, 2020

T/m2Go: The Princess and the Bear

Watch the video, then download the activity instructions. Tehreem Chaudhry performs her original toy theater play, The Princess and the Bear.
Shadow Puppet Theater Kit

November 23, 2020

Take-Home Puppet Theater Kit

Be the star of the stage at home this Thanksgiving! Visit T/m on Wednesday, Nov. 25 and purchase a take-home shadow puppet theater kit for just $5 at the Visitor Services Desk.  Enjoy creating your own shoebox shadow puppet theater at home and dreaming up imaginative stories to perform! Share your performances with us on social media...

November 20, 2020

T/m Closed to Public Nov. 27-28

Due to the significant increase in COVID-19 cases throughout our region, The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures will be closed to the public on Friday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28.   This temporary closure is in order to help mitigate potential exposure and prevent large-group gatherings during what is typically a high-traffic weekend...
R2D2

November 14, 2020

The History of Toys

Take a trip through toy time.

November 11, 2020

Gallery Talk: French Commode

A 1:12 scale replica of a cabinet owned by Louis XV’s mistress.
little boy looking at toys

August 17, 2020

T/m2Go: Superheroes

Watch the video, then download the activity instructions.
t/m store front

August 11, 2020

Planning a Safe Visit to T/m

UPDATE (August 2, 2021): In accordance with the indoor mask mandate reinstated by the city of Kansas City, Mo., T/m will require museum visitors and staff to wear masks covering face and mouth effective Monday, Aug. 2. Museum visitors are also encouraged to be mindful of appropriate physical distancing while exploring the galleries and museum...
Zoetrope

August 10, 2020

T/m2Go: Optical Toys

Watch the video, then download the activity instructions.
sewing casket

August 3, 2020

T/m2Go: Tiny Textiles

Watch the video, then download the activity instructions.
Frazier Dollhouse

July 27, 2020

T/m2Go: Dollhouse Stories

Watch the video below, then download the activity instructions.
Harpsicord_w_Ruler

July 20, 2020

T/m2Go: Mini Music

Watch the video, then download the activity instructions.
Art Deco Chandelier

July 13, 2020

T/m2Go: Little Lights

Watch the video, then download the activity instructions.
Raggedy-Ann

July 6, 2020

T/m2Go: Stuffed Toys

Watch the video, then download the activity instructions.
train

June 29, 2020

T/m2Go: Transportation Toys

Watch the video, then download the activity instructions.
WonderWoman_front

June 22, 2020

T/m2Go: Comic Characters

Watch the video, then download the activity instructions.
LEGO box

June 15, 2020

T/m2Go: Budding Builders

Watch the video, then download the activity instructions.

June 1, 2020

Artist Profile: Master Glassblower Francis D. Whittemore, Jr.

By Laura S. Taylor, Curator of Interpretation One of the most striking comparisons of scale on exhibit at T/m is this full-size cranberry goblet alongside three shelves of 1:12 scale glass work by Francis Dyer Whittemore, Jr. (and one three-sided vase by Ferenc Albert). Whittemore (1921-2020) was a self-taught glass artist who started making miniature...
Nettie Wells dollhouse

May 29, 2020

The Nettie Wells Dollhouse

This time capsule full of handmade treasures provides unique insight into the influences and values that shaped girlhood in Kansas City in the 19th century.

May 6, 2020

Secondary Spaces

By Laura S. Taylor, Curator of Interpretation One of the most intriguing aspects of fine-scale miniatures is the secondary spaces that can be glimpsed through those tiny windows and doors. Tantalizing hints of what lies beyond the primary room setting engage our sense of mystery and imagination. One can gain a deeper understanding of the...

March 19, 2020

The Obadiah Collection

By Laura Taylor, Curator of Interpretation In one of the largest cities in the world, Obadiah Fisher (1941-2005) made a name for himself by creating tiny art. Working in his studio loft in the shadow of the Manhattan Bridge, the transplanted Brooklynite produced the Obadiah Collection, a catalog of historic silver and gold pieces in...

January 31, 2020

Dollhouse Histories: The Pierce Dollhouse, 1868

By Laura Taylor, T/m Curator of Interpretation, with assistance from MaryJean Allen Children’s dollhouses were a weakness for T/m co-founder Mary Harris Francis. She acquired her first, the New Rochelle Mystery House, in 1974, and told her husband that she would “never need another.” Luckily for us, she kept collecting! Pristine condition or fixer-upper, Mary...

May 3, 2019

Toy Stitchers: A Passion for Toy Sewing Machines of Bygone Days

Long before today’s world of online ordering, children anxiously awaited the delivery of mail order catalogs. When they finally arrived, the toy section was excitedly scrutinized for the birthday or holiday wish list.  Tucked in the pages of sales catalogs dating from the 1880s to the 1960s were girl-intended play items geared for “Good Little...

March 26, 2019

New Acquisitions of Fine-Scale Miniatures

Did you ever wonder how T/m has built such an amazing collection of fine-scale miniatures? Barbara Marshall, the museum’s co-founder started collecting miniatures in the 1950s with a 1:12 scale rocking chair made by Eric Pearson. In the 1970s, Mrs. Marshall got involved with the contemporary fine-scale miniature movement and developed a reputation for being...

February 18, 2019

The Doll Gallery

This month, we made some big changes to The Doll Gallery. Some old favorites have gone to storage for a time so that they can be protected from light, which will help preserve them for future generations of museum visitors. More than 30 dolls have come out of storage to take their place, including a...

January 23, 2019

Tracing the Genealogy of a Doll

Imagine going up into the attic of an old house and finding a treasure that had not been seen for years. You might become a “history detective” to investigate more about the mysterious object and want to learn about the person who owned this treasure. You might even display this wonderful thing to share with...

December 10, 2018

The Motor Car Man with a Big Heart

“If you want happiness, there is only one way in the world to get it. You’ve got to give it.” –Jerry Smith T/m’s newest special exhibit, Going Places: The Toy Collection of Jerry Smith, features toys collected by Jerry Smith (1917-1984), a Kansas City automotive dealer and philanthropist whose generous heart and fabulous toy collection...
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