HOURS UPDATE: The Durham Museum will be closed Friday (11/15) for a private event.

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TOYTOPIA Exhibit Opening at The Durham Museum

02/21/24

Take a Trip Down Memory Lane and Share Toy Experiences with the Whole Family
Exhibition on Display March 9 – May 26, 2024

What was your childhood passion? Jump roping? Star Wars® collectibles? Baking in an Easy Bake Oven? Whatever your favorite toy was, you’ll likely find it at The Durham Museum in TOYTOPIA, a hands-on exhibition experience developed by Stage 9 Exhibits.

TOYTOPIA is sure to rekindle the wonder and delight of your favorite childhood moments as you play all day in a world of big toys. Featuring the World’s Largest Etch A Sketch, a life-size Monopoly car, a retro arcade area and a life-size dollhouse, visitors of all ages will be transported into a world of nostalgia, where they can discover the origins of their favorite toys, who made them, and why they continue to be beloved.

With a footprint of about approximately 7,000 square feet, TOYTOPIA showcases specialty exhibits from toymakers including: Hasbro®, Duncan Yo-Yo®, Schleich®, Breyer®, Crayola®, KNEX® (Lincoln Logs®) and many more. “Our goal was to capture the essence of childhood wonder; that dream of being in a world of toys,” explained Troy Carlson, owner of Stage 9 Exhibits and G. Willikers Toy Emporium.

TOYTOPIA must-see features:

  • The World’s Largest Etch A Sketch, close to 8 feet tall!
  • Retro Arcade Area, with working classic games
  • Life-size Dollhouse, with engaging play areas
  • Life-size Monopoly Car, for a unique photo opportunity
  • LEGO® Play Area/LEGO® Wall
  • LEGO® Train Layout, a fanciful working electric train layout
  • Our Signature Jack in The Box explores the science of toys
  • Schylling Tin Toys, see how tin toys are created out of simple sheets of tin
  • Keva Planks, Lincoln Logs® and brain teasers play areas

“Part of what’s exciting about this exhibit is that it has the power to connect generations. No matter our age, each of us has a history with toys,” said Dawn Myron, Director of Communications at The Durham Museum. “We hope the exhibit gets people talking about their own cherished toy stories and memories.”

TOYTOPIA is one of the premier exhibits created by Stage 9 Exhibits. Their exhibitions have traveled internationally and been exhibited at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, Orlando Science Center, and the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver, Canada.

TOYTOPIA was created by Stage 9 Exhibits and is distributed by Exhibits Development Group. The exhibition is supported locally by Valmont Industries; Kiewit Companies Foundation; Douglas County, Nebraska; Parker Family Foundation; Verhalen Family Foundation; McGill Restoration; and Kathi and Louie Rotella, Jr. Media support provided by KETV.

EXHIBIT PROGRAMMING

SaturPLAY at The Durham
Saturdays, March 9-30, 10AM-Noon
Grab your family and play at The Durham each Saturday in March during the run of TOYTOPIA! Each week will bring new opportunities to explore fun and nostalgic toys, games, crafts and characters from all generations of play. These activities are included with museum admission—no registration is required.

SaturPLAY dates & themes:

  • March 9 – National Barbie Day
  • March 16 – LEGO® Party
  • March 23- Action-Packed Play
  • March 30 – Board Games Galore

Recess at The Durham!
Tuesdays, March 12 – April 9, 11AM-Noon
Recess is everyone’s favorite class! Spend your spring break immersed in play at the museum and take part in some classic playground activities. Hopscotch, 4-square, jacks and other fun will be the perfect match with TOYTOPIA. Stop by the platform and challenge a friend (old or new!) to a game. No registration is required.

Puppets on the Platform
Thursdays, March 21 – April 11, 11AM-Noon
Both young and old will enjoy meeting The Durham Museum’s most loveable employee – Professor Durham! Professor Durham is the museum’s puppet co-host for the digital learning broadcast, Museum Live! The museum is excited to bring the professor to the public to discuss the history of toys, the importance of play and much more! Kids will also have an opportunity to play with puppets and interact with Professor Durham on their own stage. No registration is required.

Escape from Toyland
Thursday, April 18, 6-10PM, AGE 21 & OVER!
$15 for members, $25 for non-members
Put your skills to the test in a unique escape room-inspired game that will take you throughout Union Station! Complete the game for a chance to win prizes! And when you are ready for a break, grab a signature cocktail from the cash bar (admission includes one drink ticket) and try your hand at other games in the game lounge. Chew on your clues with a free nacho bar and popcorn (while supplies last) or other yummy bites available for purchase at the Soda Fountain. Then “play” on your childhood memories in our featured exhibition, TOYTOPIA. To reserve tickets, visit DurhamMuseum.org/toyland or call 402-444-5071. Must be 21 or older to attend.

To find out more about TOYTOPIA and exhibition hours, please visit www.DurhamMuseum.org/toytopia.