|
|
| DESCRIPTION: Housed in a renovated 1911 mansion on the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus, the Toy & Miniature Museum features 33 rooms filled with antique toys, dollhouses, marbles and scale miniatures dating from the mid-1800s to the present. |
|
|
| ADDRESS: 5235 Oak Street, Kansas City, Mo. |
|
|
| LOCATION: One mile southeast of the Country Club Plaza on the campus of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. |
|
|
| PHONE: 816-333-9328 |
|
|
| WEB SITE: www.umkc.edu/tmm |
|
|
HIGHLIGHTS:
- One of the most impressive collections of fine scale miniatures in the country, including intricate pieces like Noah's Ark and the Palace of Versailles.
- More than 100 antique dollhouses with thousands of antique furnishings.
- A gigantic doll collection with an emphasis on pieces from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- The Cathy and Larry Svacina Marble Collection, added in 2003, is thought to be the largest marble collection on display in the world.
- The museum's gift store features unique gifts and toys.
|
|
|
| HOURS: Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed.-Sat. and 1-4 p.m. Sun. Closed Mon., Tues. and most major holidays. |
|
|
| ADMISSION: Adults $6, children (aged 5-12) $4, seniors and full-time students $5. Children under five are admitted free. Additional fees may apply for special programming and events. |
|
|
| HISTORY: The museum was opened in October 1982 by two native Kansas Citians-dollhouse collector Mary Harris Francis and miniature expert Barbara Marshall. Originally the mansion of a Kansas City doctor, the original building was built in 1911. A major renovation in 1989 tripled the size of the museum and another wing was added in 2003, bringing the total size of the two-floor facility to 33,000 square feet. |
|
|
| WHERE TO GET LUNCH: The Country Club Plaza's long list of eateries are only a few minutes away from the museum. |
|
|
| WHAT'S NEARBY: Take in a free tour at one of America's most comprehensive general art museums, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, or browse the 150 shops and restaurants that line the Country Club Plaza. |
|
|
| DID YOU KNOW: The museum's oldest doll is Georgiana, an English wooden doll circa 1750. Acquired by the museum from the Bahamas, Georgiana stands just over 26 inches tall and has a wig made from human hair. |
|
|
| DON'T FORGET: Prairie River Story Weavers host story time in the Museum every Saturday. It's free with paid admission. |
|
|
| GROUP TOURS: Groups of 10 or more may schedule a 60-minute guided tour of museum highlights. Call for more information. |
|
|
DRIVING THERE: From the south: From I-35 North, take the Shawnee Mission Parkway/56 E exit. Continue on Ward Parkway/Volker Boulevard for about 10 minutes, traveling east. Turn right on Oak Street. The museum is at the corner of Oak and 52nd.
From the north: Take I-35 South, exit on Southwest Trafficway after traveling through Downtown. Stay on Southwest Trafficway for approximately 20 blocks. Go left (east) on 47th Street, taking you through the Plaza. Turn right on Oak Street. The museum is at the corner of Oak and 52nd.
From the west: Travel on I-70 East, exit on I-35 South and then exit again on Southwest Trafficway after traveling through Downtown. Stay on Southwest Trafficway for approximately 20 blocks. Go left (east) on 47th Street, taking you through the Plaza. Turn right on Oak Street. The museum is at the corner of Oak and 52nd.
From the east: Take I-70 W, travel through Downtown and join the I-35 S traffic. Exit on Southwest Trafficway and drive for approximately 20 blocks. Go left (east) on 47th Street, taking you through the Plaza. Turn right on Oak Street. The museum is at the corner of Oak and 52nd.
|
|
|
| PARKING: Free in the lot directly north of the museum. |
|
|
| PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: Lynn Hire, communications consultant, at hirecom@everestkc.net or 816-363-3706. |
|
|
