PA Toy Soldier Museum Open House--11/2/2013--photos (1 Viewer)

[REVWARBUFF]

I made my first ever visit to Jim Hillstad's Toy Soldier Museum this past weekend. Many of you have heard of this place and I must attest to the fact that it is one of those "must-sees" for anyone in our hobby. Jim holds semi-annual open houses each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. He is located in the Poconos in Pennsylvania near many of the tourist attractions of that area. His website is http://www.the-toy-soldier.com/home.cfm? if you desire more information. Rather than describe the place, I'll let some of the photos I took do the talking.

 

[REVWARBUFF]

 

[REVWARBUFF]

 

[jazzeum]

I was there on Friday, the day before the open house, and the breadth of his collection is incredible. It is one of the best collections you'll ever see; it occupies two floors.

 

[jazzeum]

 

[Andanna]

Great photos, Mark. Thank you.

 

[DMNamiot]

Love it!!!!!

I hope to visit this amazing place someday

Thanks for the great photos

Dave

 

[theBaron]

Yes, Jim achieved the dream that many of us have, to build a house just for our collections. Thanks for the photos, Mark and Brad!

Prost!
Brad

 

[jazzeum]

His Khyber Pass display defies description.

 

[jazzeum]

None of the Egyptian figures were K & C but other makers. The last photo shows his Sherlock Holmes display from various makers, including Trophy.

 

[theBaron]

John has some of the older, classic figures in his collection, that you don't see elsewhere. He's got a number of box dioramas using the materials the Phoenix used to sell, vacuformed walls. He also has the complete set of Present Arms' "Off to the Front" series.

For anyone who's never been there, if you get the opportunity, you should go. The open houses are usually timed to fall around the time of the MFCA (Valley Forge) and East Coast Toy Soldier (Hackensack) shows, when a lot of people you'd know from the hobby are in the area.

Cresco is some very pretty PA hill country, too.

Prost!
Brad

 

[jazzeum]

I couldn't agree more with Brad. This is a must if you're ever in the area. His Delhi Durbar displays will blow you away. When I saw them, the only thing I could think of was that people like Pat Wade and Dave Namiot would love it. Jim has so many different things from so many different periods it's just amazing.

That is the kind of collection we'd all like to have if we had the space and the resources.

Brad

 

[glossman]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this thread viewing the pictures posted by REVWARBUFF and Brad (jazzeum). Thanks very much. The variety of displays is nothing short of spectacular. I get the overall impression of a nice blend of eclectic themes. The presence of civilian/town and country type displays is especially refreshing.

There are more pictures under "Articles" on the museum website. Brad's (theBaron) comments about "very pretty PA hill country" prompted me to Google map the location of Cresco, PA. It may be close enough to NYC for a day trip visit one of these days.

Raymond

 

[jazzeum]

Raymond,

I would say it's about two or two and a half hours from NYC.

Are you planning a trip stateside?

Brad

 

[Andanna]

I took quite a number of photos upon my first visit in 2008 which are in several albums under my name. I think this is what Brad was referring to. It certainly got me into collecting the Delhi Durbar:

 

[glossman]

Raymond,

I would say it's about two or two and a half hours from NYC.

Are you planning a trip stateside?

Brad

Brad,

I have no immediate plans for a trip to the US as yet. However, I would like to add the Toy Soldier Museum in Cresco, PA to any future itinerary for sure. It would be good to time my visit so as to maximise the toy soldier experience in relation to shows, museum visits etc. From the website, I understand the museum is open the year round (but advised to call ahead to confirm dates and times) in addition to the bi-annual open house days.

Raymond.

 

[Mirof]

Nice to see some pictures
Thanks

 

[wds0855]

fantastic. I keep forgetting about these open houses. Need to get up there soon.

 

[jazzeum]

Brad,

I have no immediate plans for a trip to the US as yet. However, I would like to add the Toy Soldier Museum in Cresco, PA to any future itinerary for sure. It would be good to time my visit so as to maximise the toy soldier experience in relation to shows, museum visits etc. From the website, I understand the museum is open the year round (but advised to call ahead to confirm dates and times) in addition to the bi-annual open house days.

Raymond.

Raymond,

Yes, it's open all year round. You just have to check with Jim that he will be there and available.

Brad

 

[acw cavalry]

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Really great photos. I especially like the photo of the US cavalry patrol and background display. Any idea as to who made these particular figures? The mounted India cavalry figure is also a very nice figure indeed.