Kid Stuff: Great Toys from Our Childhood

October 1, 2011–March 4, 2012

Organized by the Berkshire Museum, “Kid Stuff” takes us back to the age of tailfins and vinyl records with more than forty toys from decades ago. Visitors of all ages will see vintage toys with original packaging and promotional materials and have the opportunity to play and interact with contemporary versions.

Additional displays such as photos of toy-factory interiors, images of children at play, video presentations, and interpretive texts depict how toys work and their significance in American culture.

Enhancing the exhibition are ten interactive components that invite visitors to play with many of the classic toys they see on display. The hands-on stations include a LEGO construction site, Twister, a magnetic Mr. Potato Head (and friends) game, and more.

The museum will host “Play for All” Saturdays throughout the run of the exhibition, which include additional interactive art stations as well as museum educators in the galleries to guide visitors through the hands-on components of the exhibition.

The exhibition was designed by Amy Reichert Architecture + Design with graphic design and art direction by Winstanley Associates.

have stolen a few hours and

dropped in upon you all—but

am obliged to go to New York

A day sooner than I had anticipated,

so I must postpone my surprise

party until my return—

I rather think I want to see

you and yours about this time—

Almost an hour this side of

Albany is the Center of the

World—I own it—

I am all alone here in the

little dining room enjoying

a nice wood fire—and thinking

how thankful I ought to be to

have travelled and returned

with my family all well—

The statue of “sleep” looks

exquisitely—I long for a new

house that I may place it in

permanently and suitably—

Its dry work writing when I

am so anxious to see you—

But I hope it won’t be too

irksome for you to drop me a

line—telling me how you all

are—so that I can get it when

I return to the farm—

And that wonderfully nice wife

of yours—Can we appreciate

how much we are in debted to

our wives? —I do hope that

Mrs Palmer is well—

Of course you are in the country

now—

Sell O’ Sculptor—and buy a

bit of the Earths’ centre—

My best love to you all—not

forgetting the childrens

Children-

Your friend

Frederic E. Church