100
Years of Toys...the art, the history, the
magic!
October
11, 2003 - January 4, 2004
READING
PUBLIC MUSEUM PRESENTS THE LARGEST SELECTION
OF EARLY TOYS EVER EXHIBITED IN THE UNITED
STATES
100
Years of Toys…the art, the history,
the magic!, which spans from 1850 to
1950, will take visitors on a memorable
trip back in time. They will experience
toys as an art form, as engineering marvels,
learn their fascinating history, and take
in the pure magic they have to offer. Visitors
will see toys that will amaze and intrigue,
and they’ll revisit some old favorites.
The exhibit runs October 11, 2003 –
January 4, 2004 ushering in the Reading
Public Museum’s 100th Anniversary!
100
Years of Toys…the art, the history,
the magic! is composed of selections
of toys from the collection of Sarah and
Carter Reese and is supported by the Friends
of the Reading Museum, The Pennsylvania
Council on the Arts, and the Pennsylvania
Historical and Museum Commission. Regular
Museum admission is $7 adults and $5 children
4 to 17. Museum hours are Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday
11am to 5pm, Wednesday 11am to 8pm and Sunday
12pm to 5pm. The exhibit opens Saturday,
October 11th and the Member Opening Reception
is Saturday, October 18, 2003 with Carter
Reese speaking at 5:30pm about the exhibit
and reception following from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Regular admission charged for reception,
Members are free.
This
exhibit not only showcases some of the rarest
toys, but also examines the ancient craft
of toymaking and how it became an industry
in the United States and Western Europe.
Early industry leaders including Ives, Lionel,
Arcade, Dent, Hubley, Carette, and American
Flyer have disappeared or survived only
in name. However, their best work has become
art, elevated from the mundane by distinguished
design, great rarity, and enduring beauty.
As Carter Reese states, “For more
than 150 years, the material history of
America has been recorded in miniature through
the manufacture of childhood playthings.
Initially produced for the purpose of teaching
children how to be adults, toys have grown
in their significance to encourage play
for its own sake. Along the way, in every
period, talented artisans have engaged all
available technology to create for children
the very best toys that industry could imagine.
In the golden age, from 1850 to 1950, extraordinary
design and individual craftsmanship are
visible in the best of manufactured toys,
elevating them to the world of fine art.”
Visitors
will see a variety of toys, many of which
the public has never seen including American
Iron and Tin, Mechanical Banks, Nautical,
Steam, Dolls, Games, Pedal Vehicles, Folk,
Carousel and much more! Michael Feyers,
Science Curator, comments, “This exhibit
is sure to delight people of ALL ages. The
exhibit includes many of the rare and charming
toys manufactured or sold in America during
the golden age and represents the largest
selection of early toys ever exhibited in
the United States.”
Related
Programming for 100 Years of Toys…the
art, the history, the magic!
Toy
Collecting: A Panel Discussion
& Video, Wednesday, October 29, 2003.
7:00pm in Auditorium. Free with admission.
See "Toccata for Toys" video by
Charles & Ray Eames. Panel discussion
to follow with Mr. Lou Mascotti and Dr.
Ivan Bub - how to start collecting toys.
Mime
Performance with Dan Kamin, Saturday, November
1, 2003. 1:00pm to 4:00pm in the
Temporary Galleries. Free with admission.
Stop in and see the magical performance
of mime!
Optical
Toys: Photodiscovery Workshop for Kids,
Saturday, November 8, 2003. 1:00pm
& 3:00pm in the Auditorium. Learn how
the first motion picture toys worked by
creating and experimenting with some of
the following: Zoetrope/The Wheel of Life,
Optical Toys including a Flip Book and a
Thaumatrope, Photographic View Camera, and
The Camera Obscura/Walk-in Camera. Two-hour
workshop for kids 8 to 12. Members $10,
Non-members $15. Call 610-371-5850 ext.
229 to register.
Gallery
Talk with Carter Reese, Wednesday, November
12, 2003. 7:00pm. Free with admission.
Collecting
Dolls with Marjorie Yocum of Merritt Doll
Museum, Wednesday, November 19, 2003.
7:00pm in the Auditorium. Free with admission.
Discovery talk. Attendees are encouraged
to bring their dolls!
Puppet
Workshop “Finding a Voice”,
Sunday, November 30, 2003. 1:00pm
in the Auditorium. Puppeteer, Steve Abrams,
developed this workshop that leads participants
step by step, from very easy animal sounds,
to cartoon voices, to the creation of a
character voice for a puppet. Visual artists,
teachers, and children all find this fun
filled session helpful. Participants will
leave with at least 12 voices for puppet
shows or storytelling and will make a paper
bag puppet. For ages 8 and up. $10.00 Members,
$15.00 Non-members. Call 610-371-5850 x229.
Puppet
Show, Sunday, November 30, 2003. 2:00pm
in the Auditorium. Master Puppeteer, Steve
Abrams, involves his audiences in everything
he does, from the simplest form of puppetry,
to an expert (and very funny) presentation
of Aesop's Fables. A brave mouse, a lazy
fox and a very determined turtle are the
featured players. Kids are thrilled to shake
hands with a strange, blue animal that lives
in Steve's suitcase! Free with admission
– seating limited to first come, first
served.
Antique
Toy Appraisals, Saturday, December 6, 2003.
Auditorium. Toy and doll appraisals with
Noel Barrett, Catherine Saunders-Watson,
Sam Lenhardt, David Bausch, and Bill Weart.
10am to Noon and 2pm to 5pm. $5 Members,
$10 Non-members. 2-3 toys appraised for
fee. Admission to Museum not included in
fee. |
