Many of the 'Toyland' exhibits are holiday focused and contain miniatures.
This holiday season explore the wonders of youth through children’s playthings from the past two centuries. From beloved homemade toys of the 19th century to vintage mass-produced toys from pop culture that are still remembered today, “Toyland: Artifacts of Youth,” on display at William King Museum of Art in Abingdon, Virginia, Nov. 17 through March 5, evokes feelings of nostalgia for all ages.
Step into Toyland and be transported back to the blissful days of childhood. The exhibit features miniatures, toys, gifts and traditions that children of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee would have enjoyed during the holiday season as well as year-round. Whether these toys were made here or just played with here, they represent the spirit of youth throughout the history of the region and are sure to inspire whimsical reflections of the past.
“We had some toys in our collection that we hadn’t displayed before, and there are a lot of toys in this area that have been passed down through the generations. This exhibit is a good opportunity to explore the toys of everybody’s childhood. Everyone is going to feel nostalgic – no matter when they were born.
“We have a good mixture of toys made at home, handcrafted ones from shops and vintage toys that were mass produced for most of the country. They span two centuries. There is such a sense of wonder and amusement in the exhibit,” says Emily Jordan, curator.
The exhibit includes many toys that focus on Christmas. Either they are holiday-themed or are the gifts that children hoped to get, such as sleds, baseball gloves, dolls and more.
William King Museum of Art is open seven days a week: Monday through Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Admission to the Museum is free. For information on exhibitions or events at William King Museum of Art visit williamkingmuseum.org or call 276-628-5005. Register for classes and events on WKMA’s website.
William King Museum of Art is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, William King Museum of Art is a partner of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, a member of the Virginia Association of Museums, and is funded in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
