National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. The museum is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and was founded by Mary Harris Francis and her husband, Stanton Francis. The museum showcases a vast collection of toys and miniatures, including works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fabergé, and Minton. With over 72,000 objects on display, the museum is one of the largest of its kind in the United States, rivaling the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, and the Museum of Childhood in London, England.

● History

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures was founded in 1982 by Mary Harris Francis and her husband, Stanton Francis, with the goal of preserving and showcasing a vast collection of toys and miniatures. The museum's collection includes objects from around the world, including Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and features works by famous artists and craftsmen, such as Ernst Heinrich Friedrich, Carl Fabergé, and René Lalique. The museum has undergone several expansions and renovations, including a major renovation in 2015, which was supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Kansas City, Missouri City Council. The museum has also received support from organizations such as the American Alliance of Museums, the Association of Art Museum Directors, and the Mid-America Arts Alliance.

● Collections

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures has a vast and diverse collection of toys and miniatures, including dolls, toy soldiers, model trains, and miniature furniture. The collection includes objects from famous manufacturers, such as Steiff, Teddy Ruxpin, and Lionel Corporation, as well as works by individual artists and craftsmen, such as Martha Stewart, Norman Rockwell, and Andy Warhol. The museum's collection also includes a number of rare and unique objects, such as a Fabergé egg, a Louis Comfort Tiffany lamp, and a Minton vase. The collection is supported by the American Ceramic Society, the National Doll and Toy Collectors Association, and the Toy Collectors Society of America.

● Exhibitions

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures hosts a variety of exhibitions throughout the year, featuring objects from its permanent collection as well as loans from other museums and private collectors. Recent exhibitions have included "The Art of the Miniature", which featured works by Willard Wigan, Salavat Fidai, and Matthew Albanese, and "Toys from the White House", which included objects from the collections of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Lady Bird Johnson, and Nancy Reagan. The museum has also hosted exhibitions on topics such as space exploration, science fiction, and fantasy literature, featuring objects related to Star Wars, Star Trek, and The Lord of the Rings. The museum's exhibitions are supported by organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

● Education and Programs

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures offers a variety of educational programs and activities for children and adults, including workshops, tours, and lectures. The museum's education programs are designed to promote learning and creativity, and include topics such as art history, science and technology, and cultural studies. The museum also offers programs for scouting organizations, such as the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the USA, and partners with organizations such as the Kansas City, Missouri School District, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and the Kansas City Art Institute. The museum's programs are supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Mid-America Arts Alliance.

● Building and Architecture

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures is located in a historic building in Kansas City, Missouri, which was designed by Architectural firm Kivett and Myers in the Neoclassical style. The building was constructed in the early 20th century and features a grand entrance hall, a staircase designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and a garden designed by Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The museum's building has undergone several renovations and expansions, including a major renovation in 2015, which was designed by Architectural firm Gould Evans and supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Kansas City, Missouri City Council. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The museum's building is also supported by organizations such as the Kansas City, Missouri Historic Preservation Office, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and the National Park Service.