Tiny toy lovers, rejoice!
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, home to the world’s largest fine-scale miniature collection and one of the nation’s largest historic toy collections, plans to re-open to the public on July 15.
As daily operations resume, the museum will re-open as a member of KC Culture Cares, a group of Kansas City cultural institutions with a pledge to be proactive in fighting COVID-19 through a common standard of protocols for keeping visitors and employees safe.
“We are excited to welcome everyone back to the museum, and we are working diligently to ensure that the visitor experience is, first and foremost, a safe one,” says Executive Director Petra Kralickova. “Joining forces with other cultural institutions in the KC Culture Cares coalition has been integral in these preparations, as well as following recommendations from local health officials and the CDC, to develop safety guidelines.”
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Knickerbocker Doll and Toy Co.
What are the hours of operation?
The museum will resume with soft re-opening for members from July 8-11 before welcoming the general public beginning Wednesday, July 15.
It will be open from Wednesday through Saturday for two sessions from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Do you need to make an appointment or call ahead?
Yes. Tickets can be purchased online only. More details will be released in the days ahead.
What is the procedure for visiting/entering?
Guest capacity will be limited during operating hours, and the break between timed sessions will allow for mid-day sanitization.
Enhanced health and safety measures will include: providing social distancing and safety signage, frequently sanitizing high-touch surfaces, verifying the health of staff each day, and requiring staff and volunteers to wear protective equipment.
Visitors are asked to stay home if they are ill or experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19. Visitors are also required to wear masks while visiting the museum.
Guitar, Ken Manning, American
What are some upcoming events?
In addition to exploring everything from dollhouses, to a wooden sailboat replica, to the smallest guitar you’ll probably ever see, visitors can look forward to the upcoming exhibit Bridging the Gender Divide: Toys that Build STEM Skills.
The exhibit offers a historical look at how toys have helped children develop the skills that contributed to success in STEM-based careers, and how the advertising of these toys, once marketed primarily to boys, has evolved over time to reflect cultural values.
“The exhibit includes toys made over the last 200 years, and it brings the story to the present by including STEM toys developed specifically to appeal to girls, as well as gender-neutral toys,” says Curator of Collections Amy McKune.
Art Deco Jewelry Store, 2013. Kevin Mulvaney (Mulvaney & Rogers), English (Roomsetting) | Lori Ann Potts, Canadian (Jewelry) | William Robertson, American (Lighting) | Susie Rogers (Mulvaney & Rogers), English (Roomsetting) | Maria Jose Santos, Spanish (Figures)