Museum offers 'Joy of Toys'

joytoy032: Museum offers 'Joy of Toys'Every parent knows the joy toys can bring to children. Through January 4, the Kern County Museum, 3801 Chester Avenue in Bakersfield, is offering families a chance to look back at the toys that were entertaining children in decades gone by in the “Joy of Toys” exhibit. The exhibit includes historic and retro toys from the museum and local collectors.

Joy of Toys is the official kickoff for the museum’s Clock Tower Holidays and is on display in the main gallery which is festively decorated with trees and wreaths originally created by local designers and artists. Venturing through the main gallery, visitors will feel as though they have come upon a holiday wonderland. There is snow on the ground. Trees and wreaths are decorated with unique ornaments that one usually only sees in expensive department stores or catalogs.

Pedal cars on the main floor, the rage of children in by-gone days and collectors of today, are as distinctive in appearance as they are rare in existence. One can gawk at a 1930s Hupmobile and a 40s Murray “Sadface” and several others from the private collections of Charlie Zawila of Central Park Antiques and John Fleming of Precision Collision Repairs.

Taking a trip one flight up to the second floor is like taking a trip back in time. Displays include a priceless assembly of more than 100 miniature cars collected during the childhood of former Kern High School District Superintendent Tom Jones. Visitors can view 1938 erector and Tinker Toy sets, toy clown “Smiling Sam the Carnival Man” and Disney’s “Herbie the Love Bug” racing a horse and carriage. They are from the private collection of Valley Oaks Charter School Custodian Sandy Foley. From its archives, the museum has gathered immaculately preserved dolls from the 1860s and early 1900s, a Dizzy Lizzie windup car and even a Mickey Mouse Wooden Trapeze. Comic book lovers will marvel at what Scott Hudlow has on display.

During Clock Tower Holidays, visitors can experience Holiday Happenings from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., on November 29 and December 6, 27. Holiday Happenings will feature special Howell House tours, children’s crafts, musical performances and the Museum Store will be open offering unique gifts for holiday shoppers.

December 4 is the fifth annual “Hanging of the Greens” and Member Night from 5-9 p.m. Admission is free! Beginning at 5 p.m., visitors can watch the traditional lighting of the giant holiday wreaths on the Beale Clock Tower. By contributing an unwrapped toy for the Kern County Network for Children toy drive, sponsored by Big-O Tires and KERO-TV, visitors can receive a hot dog and soda courtesy of Big-O and a free children’s pass for a future museum visit. Children can make ornaments and decorate the Lori Brock Children’s Discovery Center Christmas tree, and their parents can shop in the Museum Store for holiday gifts.

There’s no better way to experience what celebrating the holidays was like during the late 1800s and early 1900s than on the museum’s Holiday Lamplight Tours, December 13 from 3-8 p.m. Visitors walk the grounds with a hundred old-fashioned lanterns lighting the way to tours of historic pioneer buildings with the sounds of strolling minstrels, carolers and bell choirs all around them. Costumed docents share local history and demonstrations of old west cooking and other traditional crafts take place at venues throughout the grounds.

Storytellers, dancers, caroling, ornament making, plus delicious cookies, hot chocolate, cider and even an opportunity drawing welcome those who attend Cookies at the Clock Tower on December 20 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

January 9 from 12-5 p.m. and January 10 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. is a chance to buy Your favorite ornaments and wreaths from the Joy of Toys exhibit at the Big After Holiday Sale.

For more information about Clock Tower Holidays, call the museum at (661) 852-5000.


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