Kentucky Library and Museum Online -- Kentucky Museum Toys & Games Collection

Toys & Games

The Kentucky Museum toy collection is composed of about 2,800 toys, dolls and games. Most date from the late nineteenth century through 1940. Important categories include cast iron banks and vehicles, tin mechanical toys, miniature furniture, and china head and porcelain bisque dolls.

Totaling nearly 1,200 dolls, mechanical toys, miniature furniture and miscellany, the Orbra E. King Collection is the core of the toy and doll collection. Significant pieces include a Dogpatch Band by Unique Art, a Mickey Mouse Xylophone by Linemar, a set of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs lead miniatures and a fire engine by Sturditoys.

The William H. McLean Toy Soldier Collection is composed of 1,350 military miniatures and vehicles. Soldiers in the collection date from the 1920s through the mid 1960s and from 1985. Sets include examples made by Barclay, Britains, Grey Iron, Lincoln Logs and Manoil.

Objects are available for researchers subject to museum policies and procedures. For more information contact the Museum Registrar/Collections Curator (Phone: 270-745-2592 )or write The Kentucky Museum, Western Kentucky University, One Big Red Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576. Prior appointment is required.

Toys and games are currently featured in two exhibits, Growing Up Victorian: A Kentucky Childhood and From Our Toy Box. Other objects featured on this web page may not be on exhibit. To learn more about what is currently on display, link to our exhibit pages.