New York museum showcases the world of play

Summary

The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, celebrates the world of play with interactive exhibits, a vast collection of toys, games, and artifacts, and a focus on the history and evolution of video games. Expanding its space to include 90,000 square feet, the museum showcases oversized video game versions, early toys like the first Monopoly set, and rare prototypes such as Tickle Me Elmo. The museum emphasizes play's educational and social impact, highlighting its role in learning, friendship-building, and adapting to life's challenges, while offering a fun, hands-on experience for visitors of all ages.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, is dedicated to the history and evolution of play, including toys, games, and interactive exhibits.
• 🎮 The museum recently expanded by 90,000 square feet to accommodate new exhibits, particularly focused on the history of video games.
• 🧩 A key new feature is the 'Periodic Table of Video Game Elements,' which showcases the science and technology behind video game development.
• 🏆 The museum is home to the National Toy Hall of Fame, celebrating toys that have had a significant impact on culture and history.
• 🕹️ Visitors can explore super-sized versions of popular video games and experience interactive displays that bring games to life.
• 💡 The museum also highlights rare and vintage toys, including the first handwritten Monopoly set created by Charles Darrow in the 1930s.
• 🎳 A hidden gem of the museum is its vast basement, which houses an array of rare pinball machines and prototypes of iconic toys like Tickle Me Elmo.
• 🧸 Play historian John Paul Dyson explains that play is not just about fun but also a crucial way for children to learn social skills and adapt to life's challenges.
• 🎡 The museum's exhibits offer interactive opportunities for visitors to engage in both historical and modern forms of play, appealing to all ages.
• 🌍 Founded in 1969, the museum was originally called Margaret Woodbury Strong's Museum of Fascination and has continuously evolved to remain relevant to changing forms of play.

Q & A

What is the Strong National Museum of Play known for?

The Strong National Museum of Play is known for its extensive collection of toys, games, and artifacts, as well as its interactive exhibits that showcase the evolution of video games. It is a museum dedicated to the world of play.

What is the significance of the museum’s expansion?

The museum’s expansion, adding 90,000 more square feet, allows for the preservation and exploration of video game history, which became a significant part of play culture in the mid-2000s. The space is designed to showcase super-sized video games and the technology behind them.

How does the new video game exhibit at the museum engage visitors?

The video game exhibit includes interactive elements like a periodic table of video game elements, allowing visitors to explore the science of play and understand how games involve movement, problem-solving, and creativity.

What historical artifacts related to toys can be found at the museum?

The museum houses early versions of iconic toys like Barbie, as well as historical items such as the original handwritten Monopoly set created by Charles Darrow in the 1930s.

What is the 'Replay' section of the museum?

The 'Replay' section is located in the museum's basement, dedicated to preserving and documenting various forms of play. It includes treasures like pinball machines, toy prototypes, and early electronic toys like Alfie, one of the first electronic toys.

What does the museum's CEO say about the nature of play?

Steve Dubnick, the CEO, explains that play is about fun, learning, and building relationships. He emphasizes that through play, children learn to adapt to the changing world, and adults can continue to develop skills learned through play.

How does the museum define 'play'?

Play is defined as an activity that is enjoyable, where individuals are actively engaged, moving, solving problems, or creating. It is seen as a valuable tool for learning and socializing, helping people of all ages to deal with life's challenges.

What was the original name of the Strong National Museum of Play?

The museum was originally called Margaret Woodbury Strong's Museum of Fascination when it was founded in 1969 before it adopted its current name and expanded its focus to the broader concept of play.

What kind of interactive experiences can visitors enjoy at the museum?

Visitors can enjoy a variety of interactive experiences, such as pretending to work in a pet care center, playing classic video games, and exploring themed areas like playgrounds, rope courses, and reading adventures.

How does the museum use play to foster social connections?

The museum uses play to bring people together, transcending backgrounds and differences. Whether through shared experiences on the playground or in games, play creates a communal environment where the focus is on collective joy rather than individual gain.