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In response to popular demand, this exhibit has been extended through July 27, 2008. ToyTime, an interactive exhibit of giant-size Folk Toys, comes to The Charlotte Museum of History for a limited engagement this fall. Visitors can “play” with large-scale handcrafted wood versions of the most popular kinetic Folk Toys throughout history. Sixteen interactive Toy Stations explore the history, mechanics and fun of the Whimmy Diddle, Jacob’s Ladder, Twirling Acrobat, Tightrope Walker, Pecking Chickens, Lunging Lumberjacks, and other tumbling, flipping and climbing toys. ToyTime comes to The Charlotte Museum of History from SciWorks Science Center and Environmental Park, where the new touring exhibit opened to rave public reception earlier this year.
ToyTime is the brainchild of Tom Wilson, director of exhibits at SciWorks. A craftsman and former furniture maker, Mr. Wilson began making folk toys thirty years ago, making them for his children and giving them away to friends. He began to envision an exhibit of giant versions of the toys. And, in an electronics age in which museum displays are operated at the push of a button, Mr. Wilson wanted visitors to enjoy a more hands-on exhibit experience with kinetic toys that didn’t require electricity. The large-scale toys took six months to construct, presenting interesting challenges along the way to make toys that could be operated at that size.
One visitor to the exhibit, who brought her grandson in one day and came back the next day with her husband, told a reporter “I think this is absolutely incredible; it’s as much fun for the adults!” A special display of Historic Toys from The Museum’s collection is presented in conjunction with the Toy Time exhibit.
ToyTime is presented at The Charlotte Museum of History through generous sponsorship from KPB Foundation, Jacob’s Ladder Sponsor; and Mary Liz Francis and Darling Creative Group, Whimmy Diddle Sponsors. The Developing Sponsor of ToyTime is Museum Productions LLC.
Charlotte Neighborhoods is a community-based, design education and advocacy project, centered on an exhibit series that explores Charlotte’s neighborhoods, past and present. This exhibit series gives Museum visitors and Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents the chance to explore and analyze a deeper recognition of “community” and promote positive social change.
Crossroads Charlotte's component was added in conjunction with the Charlotte Neighborhoods: Brooklyn to Biddleville opening. Crossroads Charlotte is a large-scale civic engagement initiative designed to help the community craft a future based on intentional choices and creative foresight. Through this project, organizations, institutions, and individuals will hear and respond to four stories depicting plausible futures for the Charlotte community. The exhibit installation will feature an interactive component designed to engage visitors and start the process of exploration and discussion. Crossroads Charlotte is funded by John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Foundation for the Carolinas, and is managed by the Community Building Initiative. Click here to visit Crossroad Charlotte's website. The rotating neighborhood component of the exhibit will rotate periodically to a different Charlotte neighborhood. This component of the exhibit explores the neighborhoods through their history, architecture and culture. Plaza-Midwood was the first featured neighborhood. Brooklyn to Biddleville was featured as the second installment, and we are currently displaying Center City. Contact us if you have a neighborhood you would like to see featured in an upcoming Charlotte Neighborhoods exhibit.
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The Charlotte
Museum of History & Hezekiah Alexander Homesite |