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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

The health and safety of our guests, staff, and volunteers is T/m’s top priority. The following guidelines for your visit are designed to support the nationwide effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. BEFORE YOU VISITPlease postpone your visit if you have a fever or have been sick within the past 10 days, have come...
Zoetrope

August 10, 2020

T/m2Go: Optical Toys

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sewing casket

August 3, 2020

T/m2Go: Tiny Textiles

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

July 27, 2020

T/m2Go: Dollhouse Stories

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Harpsicord_w_Ruler

July 20, 2020

T/m2Go: Mini Music

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

July 13, 2020

T/m2Go: Little Lights

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Raggedy-Ann

July 6, 2020

T/m2Go: Stuffed Toys

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train

June 29, 2020

T/m2Go: Transportation Toys

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WonderWoman_front

June 22, 2020

T/m2Go: Comic Characters

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LEGO box

June 15, 2020

T/m2Go: Budding Builders

Watch the video below, 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...

November 20, 2018

Christmas Traditions at T/m

“Christmas was on its way. Lovely, glorious, beautiful Christmas, upon which the entire kid year revolved.” – Ralphie Parker, A Christmas Story, 1983 That lovely, glorious, beautiful time is upon us once again, and at T/m, our year definitely revolves around it. Our cases are full of memories from Christmases past, and our halls echo...

October 10, 2017

Fine-Scale Miniature Artists Honored

October 10, 2017 (KANSAS CITY, MO) – The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures recently presented three artists with the Barbara Marshall Award for Artistic Achievement. Named for the museum’s co-founder, a patron of artists and the fine-scale miniature art movement, the award continues Marshall’s work in nurturing creativity, innovation, and artistic exploration. Award entries...

September 8, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Johannes Landman

Johannes Landman specializes in miniature paintings inspired by the Dutch Golden Age. His 1:12 oil paintings are created on wooden panels that are covered in gesso. When finished, his work is mounted in hand-carved frames. Landman is one of more than 60 artists participating in Miniature Masterworks, September 15-17, 2017. He will be giving a...

September 6, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Miyuki Kobayashi

Miyuki Kobayashi began making miniature food and flowers 25 years ago. Now, she creates miniature aquariums complete with tropical and seawater fish, plants, and coral. Kobayashi pays special attention to expressing the vivid movement of her subjects, portraying them as naturally as possible. Kobayashi is one of more than sixty artists participating in Miniature Masterworks,...

September 4, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Elizabeth McInnis

Elizabeth McInnis’s animal figures are carved from wood with inset glass or acrylic eyes. She brings them to life with fur, feathers, and other materials as needed to complete the illusion of reality. McInnis’s work reflects her childhood love of art and animals. McInnis is one of more than sixty artists participating in Miniature Masterworks,...

September 2, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Elga Koster

Elga Koster recreates eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century furniture after studying museum auction websites and furniture making and history books. She uses power- and hand-tool techniques and upholsters her work with petit point on a 56- to 90-point silk gauze. Koster is one of more than sixty artists participating in Miniature Masterworks, September 15-17, 2017.

September 1, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Hiroyuki and Kyoko Kimura

Hiroyuki and Kyoko Kimura create miniature plants and animals. They work to instill a sense of life into their miniatures by selecting and using materials such as polymer clay to create the realistic leaves, stems, trunk, and roots. Hiroyuki and Kyoko Kimura are among the more than sixty artists participating in Miniature Masterworks, September 15-17,...

August 31, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Tine Krijnen

Tine Krijnen uses a variety of techniques to create her hand-bound, pop-up books. Her work requires that she invent her own tools, study offset printing and lithography, and be proficient at traditional bookbinding. Her intricate pop-up books feature hand-cut, moveable scenes. Krijnen is one of more than sixty artists participating in Miniature Masterworks, September 15-17,...

August 30, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Cristina Noriega Morán

Christina Noriega Morán makes replicas of all styles and time periods using traditional cabinetmaking and wood techniques. She primarily focuses on furniture, but she also makes medical equipment and other apparatus inspired by her family of medical professionals and her own interest in medical devices. Moran is one of more than sixty artists participating in...

August 27, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Chris Malcomson

Christopher Malcomson’s marquetry furniture focuses on William and Mary, Georgian, and Victorian styles. He views past masters’ work as an outstanding pallette from which he can take ideas. Each complex marquetry design he creates has an experimental element as he acquires new techniques. Malcomson is one of the more than sixty artists participating in Miniature...

August 26, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Hanna Kahl-Hyland

Hanna Kahl-Hyland carves her miniature figures from holly, boxwood, and pearwood. Her figures are inspired by both the good and evil in fairy tales. She recently began painting in miniature, finding inspiration in the intimate interiors and figures of painter Pieter de Hooch. Kahl-Hyland is one of more than sixty artists participating in Miniature Masterworks,...

August 25, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Victoria Morozova

Victoria Morozova creates fine-scale furniture, focusing on the Art Nouveau style. She especially enjoys the challenge of marquetry, bringing to life a sketch with the help of wood grain, texture, and color. Morozova considers reproducing furniture pieces a dialogue between herself and the original artists, taking inspiration from the beauty of the design and transferring...

August 23, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Rohit Khanna

Rohit Khanna makes fine reproductions of period furniture from cabinetmakers such as Thomas Chippendale and Charles Andre Boulle. He is fascinated by the blend of metal and wood and the mechanical movement in furniture. His furniture is made of Sheesham wood, and he manufactures his own hardware using lost-wax casting. Khanna is one of more...

August 21, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Mark Murphy

 Mark Murphy’s miniature making began with an interest in the forms of the functional, classic furniture models. Although he began with Shaker pieces, he has expanded to other early American styles: William and Mary, Queen Anne, Pennsylvania Dutch, and Arts and Crafts. Murphy has collaborated with many fellow fine-scale artists to create pieces that work well...

August 18, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Mary Grady O'Brien

Mary Grady O’Brien crafts historically accurate furniture, folk art antiques, and Early American decorative paintings in miniature. After extensive research, she pays close attention to detail in order to be true to the spirit of the object’s original creator. O’Brien is one of more than sixty artists participating in Miniature Masterworks, September 15-17, 2017.

August 16, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Kerri Pajutee

Kerri Pajutee is motivated by the desire to replicate the beauty and energy of animals in 1:12 scale. She developed a technique to combine polymer clay with layers of natural fibers: wool, alpaca, cashmere, and silk. This combination allows Pajutee to infuse her art with character and expression. Pajutee is one of more than sixty...

August 14, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: David Iriarte Martinez

David Iriarte Martinez makes 1:12 scale houses and room settings that are fully researched to be consistent in style and period. His limited edition and unique miniatures are authentic reproductions that display various techniques, including inlaid wood, bone details, decorative painting, and ormolu. Iriarte is one of more than sixty artists participating in Miniature Masterworks,...

August 11, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Susan Parris

Susan Parris’s miniatures reflect her passion for research, art, and history. She works in diverse media, uses 19th-century textiles and natural materials whenever possible, and is continually developing new techniques for her pieces. This dedication to authenticity results in multiple layers of historic realism in miniature. Parris is one of more than sixty artists participating...

August 9, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Phyllis Hawkes

Phyllis Hawkes reproduces the museum-quality work of Old Masters and American primitive painters. Her favorite subjects are people (especially female children and children with their pets), clipper ships, florals, and fruit. Hawkes uses traditional oil painting techniques, including glazing and layering on 1/32” gessoed birch plywood. Hawkes is one of more than sixty artists participating...

August 7, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Jan Patrie

Jan Patrie started making miniature food after seeing the limited selection and poor quality of commercially available options. Patrie chose to focus on miniature food because she loves to cook and inspiration is never far away: the kitchen, cookbooks, farmer’s market, or grocery store. Working in polymer clay, she aims to make every piece look...

August 4, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Pat Hartman

Pat Hartman has been making miniature needlework since she built her first dollhouse in 1977. She takes inspiration from the primitive designs and soft colors of the faded fabrics in antique hooked rugs. She challenges herself to get as much detail in each rug as possible; the more complex the design, the better the challenge....

August 3, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Thomas and Catherine Latané

Thomas and Catherine Latané recreate authentic historical works in tin, iron and wood by using traditional tools and techniques. Their prior experience in full-size construction adds to the realism and credibility of their work, which often bears the aged patina of time and weather. The Latanes are among the more than sixty artists participating in...

August 2, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Mario Ramos and Mariana Grande

As a child, Mario Ramos began to model tiny clay animals with precise details. Now, with his wife, Mariana Grande, they create miniature and full-scale decorative glass work inspired by history, nature, and animals. Ramos and Grande are among the more than sixty artists participating in Miniature Masterworks, September 15-17, 2017.

July 31, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Jeffrey Guéno

Jeffery G. Guéno often recreates fifteenth-century Italian maiolica as well as English and Dutch delft, but he has worked in a variety of styles and time periods. He usually works in 1:12 scale, but he has also made 1:6 scale pieces when there is too much detail to scale down. Guéno uses auction catalogs and...

July 28, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Daniela Kiefhaber

Daniela Kiefhaber’s figures are unique pieces of art; each has a personality and a story. She hand-sculpts her figures in porcelain, creating jointed figures so that they move like human beings. Their garments are historically researched and display embroidered details. Kiefhaber is one of more than sixty artists participating in Miniature Masterworks, September 15-17, 2017

July 28, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Patricia Richards

Patricia Richards sews full- and fine-scale seventeenth- and eighteenth-century schoolgirl samplers. She isolates essential elements from the pieces she researches and adapts them to tell a story on a much smaller canvas. Richards has also been fascinated by stumpwork, a seventeenth-century technique involving dimensional embroidery. Richards is one of more than sixty artists participating in...

July 26, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Jane Graber

Jane Graber was a full-time potter at the Sauder Museum in Archbold, Ohio, where she made her first miniatures—gifts for the children who were visiting the museum. She has been making traditional Early American pottery in 1:12 scale since 1981. Her original designs are inspired by traditional motifs with techniques adapted from her experience with...

July 24, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: William R. Robertson

A childhood spent visiting the Smithsonian Institution gave William R. Robertson a lifelong love of history and art that he has applied to the world of miniatures. His furniture, tool boxes, and mechanical instruments reflect his interest in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century American, English, Dutch, and French decorative arts. Robertson enjoys the challenge of making complex,...

July 21, 2017

Miniature Masterworks: Christina Goodman

Christina Goodman paints Renaissance-inspired landscapes, birds, and animals on jewelry, triptychs, polyptychs, and boxes, which open to reveal another painting inside. These often overlooked elements of the natural world are used as the focal point in her paintings and jewelry. Goodman is one of more than sixty artists participating in Miniature Masterworks, September 15-17, 2017.
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