A Century of Toys: 100 Years of Play
November 13, 2024 - February 2025
This winter, the Byron L. Dobbs Exhibit Gallery is set to host a heartwarming temporary exhibit, A Century of Toys: 100 Years of Play, just in time for the holiday season. Curated by Chuck Douglas, the collection spans three generations of his family’s cherished toys, alongside contributions from other families and History Cherokee’s archives.
Expect to see a blend of modern-day favorites and beloved vintage treasures, ensuring there’s something to stir nostalgia in every visitor. From classic toys that defined childhoods to recent creations, this exhibition promises a captivating experience for children and adults alike.
About the Collection
The core of the toy collection used in the toy exhibit is from the collection of the Douglas family in Canton. The toys represent 3 generations of the family: Parents, Children and Grandchildren.
Dot and Jack Douglas moved to Canton in 1953 and built their house in 1954. At some point they brought their toys which they had as children in the 1920s and 1930s.
Dot and Jack Douglas’ children, Chuck, born in 1959 and Jimmy, born in 1962, had lots of toys. Some of their favorite toys included Legos, Matchbox, Hot Wheels, and Tonka and Buddy L Trucks, and Lincoln Logs. Jimmy had lots of G.I. Joes, and Johnny West figures and equipment for many different adventures. They also enjoyed card games and board games such as Monopoly, Clue, and Operation.
Jimmy married Laurie Brook and had 3 boys (Samuel, James, and William), all who were born throughout the 1990s. Dot and Jack purchased toys for the boys to play with when they were at their house. Many of these toys remain in the Playroom of the same house that Dot and Jack Douglas built in 1954.
On Display: Electric Stove!
Produced in the 1930s by manufacturer Empire Metal Ware, this fully functioning toy stove was made entirely of metal. Children could bake tiny treats using the functioning oven on the top right. Toy stoves were relatively popular in the early 20th century, and were marketed mostly to young girls and their mothers to teach them the invaluable skills of cooking.
See the Exhibit
