“From Marbles to Make-Believe: Let’s Play!” the newest exhibition from Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS), consists of over 400 pieces from the HBMS collections and local collectors, including trains, board games, stuffed animals, dolls, sports memorabilia, action figures, video games, and more.
Through Jan. 31, visitors can explore playful displays and hands-on, kid-friendly activities at two locations: The Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts and The Moravian Museum of Bethlehem.
At the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts (427 N. New St.), a “Trendy Toys” section highlights the most iconic playthings of the 1900s, including an original Steiff Teddy Bear, 1969 Astronaut Snoopy, and even Furby! The “Play in Far Away Places” display showcases action figures and table-top games like Dungeons & Dragons that transport players to new worlds.
In the main gallery, “Perilous Playtime” explores the dark side of play with a display of dangerous toys including the Austin Magic Pistol – a 1940s toy that, due to a defect, shot flaming ping pong balls at its target. Also on view is a rotating display of in-season, sports-related artifacts, kicking off with “America’s favorite pastime”: baseball.
Touring the exhibition with a guide, or on their own using the virtual exhibit guide, visitors are sure to take a trip down memory lane as they learn about what toys tell us about the people who played with them. On the walls, Lehigh Art Alliance artists display a collection of play-related artworks available for purchase.
The Moravian Museum of Bethlehem (66 W. Church St.) features a display titled, “Play Back When,” which explores the Early Moravians in Bethlehem and their views toward play and recreation through a collection of Polly Heckewelder dolls, dice games and wooden toys. This display also identifies other everyday leisure activities in historic Bethlehem, like walking and games of chance.
Visit HistoricBethlehem.org for information.
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