- Joined
- Apr 22, 2005
- Messages
- 1,585
This stunning exhibit is going to have its grand opening December 10th at the Frazier History Museum. If you will be in or near Louisville, Kentucky be sure to stop in and see this breathtaking toy soldier display for yourself!
The Frazier History Museum, known for its exclusive partnership with the British Royal Armouries and exceptional collection of arms and armor, is soon going to be
known for something else-- toy soldiers.
The Frazier Museum’s rare collection of more than 12,000 toy soldiers, which portrays time periods
ranging from Ancient Egypt through World War II, will be on display to the public starting December
10. The collection, some of which previously belonged to Malcolm Forbes, is expected to be one of
the largest toy soldier collections on public display in the U.S. The Frazier’s diverse collection consists
of toy soldiers produced in the late 18th century through modern day, and includes one of the largest
St. Petersburg Collections® on the display in the country, as well as Haffner, M.I.M., Lucotte, Britains,
Fouille and Marklin models.
“We’re very excited about this amazing collection! There’s an element of nostalgia and childhood
playfulness to toy soldiers that’s undeniable,” said Frazier Museum Executive Director Madeleine
Burnside. “It allows us to show a broader range of history and do it in a very approachable way.”
Earlier this year, the Frazier Museum announced its new vision to become the region’s premier
history institution, the result of a year-long strategic planning process. The museum decided to shift
its focus to become a more comprehensive history museum and dramatically lessen its focus on
guns and weapons. The toy soldier installation, which is permanent, is part of more substantial
changes to the museum’s galleries to this end.
Currently, Frazier Museum staff are cataloguing the vast toy soldier collection, as well as designing
the integration of the tiny models throughout its permanent galleries, which cover more than 1,000
years of world and American history. “These little figures depict real historical events and people,”
said Burnside. “We wanted to create a unique and educational way to display them, so they’ll be
exhibited side by side with genuine artifacts.”
Much of the toy soldier collection originally belonged to donor and lifelong toy soldier aficionado
Charles W. Stewart of Frankfort, Ky., who decided to donate the collection so it could be enjoyed by
the public. Toy soldier collector Orson Munn of Long Island, N.Y., has contributed a significant
collection of flat toy soldiers. The Frazier’s collection continues to expand.
The Frazier History Museum is located in downtown Louisville, Ky. on Main Street’s “Museum Row.”
The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Museum
admission includes access to permanent galleries, some temporary exhibitions and daily historical
performances. For more information, visit www.FrazierMuseum.org or call (502) 753-5663.
The Frazier History Museum, known for its exclusive partnership with the British Royal Armouries and exceptional collection of arms and armor, is soon going to be
known for something else-- toy soldiers.
The Frazier Museum’s rare collection of more than 12,000 toy soldiers, which portrays time periods
ranging from Ancient Egypt through World War II, will be on display to the public starting December
10. The collection, some of which previously belonged to Malcolm Forbes, is expected to be one of
the largest toy soldier collections on public display in the U.S. The Frazier’s diverse collection consists
of toy soldiers produced in the late 18th century through modern day, and includes one of the largest
St. Petersburg Collections® on the display in the country, as well as Haffner, M.I.M., Lucotte, Britains,
Fouille and Marklin models.
“We’re very excited about this amazing collection! There’s an element of nostalgia and childhood
playfulness to toy soldiers that’s undeniable,” said Frazier Museum Executive Director Madeleine
Burnside. “It allows us to show a broader range of history and do it in a very approachable way.”
Earlier this year, the Frazier Museum announced its new vision to become the region’s premier
history institution, the result of a year-long strategic planning process. The museum decided to shift
its focus to become a more comprehensive history museum and dramatically lessen its focus on
guns and weapons. The toy soldier installation, which is permanent, is part of more substantial
changes to the museum’s galleries to this end.
Currently, Frazier Museum staff are cataloguing the vast toy soldier collection, as well as designing
the integration of the tiny models throughout its permanent galleries, which cover more than 1,000
years of world and American history. “These little figures depict real historical events and people,”
said Burnside. “We wanted to create a unique and educational way to display them, so they’ll be
exhibited side by side with genuine artifacts.”
Much of the toy soldier collection originally belonged to donor and lifelong toy soldier aficionado
Charles W. Stewart of Frankfort, Ky., who decided to donate the collection so it could be enjoyed by
the public. Toy soldier collector Orson Munn of Long Island, N.Y., has contributed a significant
collection of flat toy soldiers. The Frazier’s collection continues to expand.
The Frazier History Museum is located in downtown Louisville, Ky. on Main Street’s “Museum Row.”
The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Museum
admission includes access to permanent galleries, some temporary exhibitions and daily historical
performances. For more information, visit www.FrazierMuseum.org or call (502) 753-5663.
