PLAY AT THE VILLAGE

If you are in Metro Detroit make some time to swing by the historical village in Troy, Michigan to check out a special exhibit that toy lovers young and old are sure to appreciate. Until April 30, 2021 the Troy Historic Village will be showcasing a collection of toys and games highlighting fun ways to play from the last two hundred years (1821 - 2021). From original Kenner Star Wars action figures and steel-made Tonka Trucks that were the type of toys I played with as a kid to corn husk dolls and wood carved checker sets that the children of Michigan's early settlers had fun with there is a lot to geek out about in this Play at the Village exhibit. Only on display for a limited time get over to the Troy Historical Village before they pack up the toys to prepare for a summer full of activities.

The Historic Village is located at 60 W. Wattles Road in the community of Troy, Michigan. Located seven miles north of the City of Detroit, it is conveniently accessible off I-75 from the Big Beaver Road ramps. The site consists of eleven historic structures ranging from an 1820s era log cabin to a 1900s era church. Take a casual stroll through the exhibit by yourself during normal hours (Monday - Friday from 10 am - 3pm) or sign up for a guided evening toy tour led by one of the historical village's docents. 

Take a walk down memory lane by visiting these structures filled with toys and games throughout the Troy Historic Village:

LOG CABIN

Just two hundred years ago Michigan was frontier territory. Life was tough but families still made time for some fun. Just like today they often spent some time after dark having family game nights. Playing cards and checkers were two popular recreational activities in the 1820s.

Children played with toys that could be made from the area's natural resources and that taught them life skills. Miniature wood carved tool sets and corn husk and cloth dolls would have been common toys during that time. It was all about what a family could make themselves when it came to toys for these pioneers.

ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE

The old Poppleton School is full of examples of school yard games . Games like Blind Man's Bluff, Drop the Handkerchief, and Fox & Geese are explained to visitors. How do you think the games school kids played in the late 1800s are different from what goes on in playgrounds today?

GENERAL STORE

The village's general store is filled with toys ranging from 1900 to the present. Get a close up look at classic tin toys, a vintage train set, and a LEGO Death Star model among numerous other wonderful things.

CASWELL HOUSE

The mid-1800s Greek Revival architecture of the Caswell House is complimented by a huge assortment of action figures and dolls. Remember the Beanie Baby craze! There are a whole lot of them to see here.

BLACKSMITH FORGE

Take a glimpse of patents from popular childhood toys of the 20th Century including Mr. Potato Head, Optimus Prime and the Rubik's Cube. These are some interesting drawings to take a look at and show the amount of engineering that go into making toys. A nice STEM moment during this exhibit which is both entertaining and educational.

OLD TROY CHURCH

The old church filled with beautiful stain glass windows also is full examples of toy advertising from 1900 - 2000. Remember flipping through the pages of the Sears catalog while creating a Christmas list for Santa? My grandmother always had us go through the catalog and let us pick out a holiday gift from it as I'm sure generations of kids had done. Now print catalogs have been replaced by web sites and social media apps. Step back in time to enjoy examples of old print ads from past decades. Think about how the marketing styles and types of toys changed through the decades.

THE PARSONAGE

This home for the church's reverend and his family has been stocked with board games. A family game night dream! Learn the history of some popular games and reminisce about ones you played as a child yourself. Share with today's youth that games they thought were new were around when you were there age or show them a game you loved, like Bermuda Triangle, that isn't popular anymore.

For more information about this special exhibit go to troyhistoricvillage.org or call 248-524-3570. This history geek happens to be on the Board of Directors for this non-profit organization so if you stop by let them know this dad blogger sent you their way. Go on out and PLAY AT THE VILLAGE! 

Marvel to Continue Kenner Toys Inspired Variant Covers for Star Wars Comic Books

When I swung by my local comic book shop last month to pick up the first issue of Marvel's new STAR WARS comic book series this Luke Skywalker variant cover inspired by the original Kenner Toys action figure packaging caught my eye.  While I hadn't planned on buying up any of the over-hyped, over-priced variant covers that flooded stores and the Internet with this comic book's release this one was priced at the regular price for the issue and I just thought it was very nicely done.  The Luke Skywalker action figure on the cover was the very first Star Wars toy I ever received as a kid and the image on this comic book cover brought back some nice memories.  So I was nostalgic and picked it up.

While I thought this action figure design for the comic book cover was just another of the nearly hundred one and done variant covers released to promote this inaugural issue of the Star Wars brands return to the Marvel banner, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it appears there will be a few more of these covers being printed at least in the near future for upcoming issues.  Star Wars #2 which will be released on February 4, 2015 will have a Kenner Toys' Han Solo variant cover and Darth Vader #1 coming out on February 11, 2014 will also have one.  Additionally the upcoming Princess Leia mini-series will have an action figure variant cover for its first issue as will March's Star Wars #3 with a Ben Kenobi version.

I was somewhat worried before the first comic book was published that Marvel was just going to sketch up a comic without a lot of effort because they knew Star Wars fans would be digging into their pocketbooks no matter the quality of the product.  Fortunately, that hasn't been the case, the script and artwork in Star Wars #1 was exceptionally well done. In fact Star Wars #1 was one of my favorite comic books reads in the last few years...it really was that good.  As long as they continue the quality level demonstrated in this first issue I'm hooked on reading these comic books each month.  The continuation of these variant covers is just icing on the case, but also a sign that Marvel really is interested in providing Star Wars fans with a quality product.  So A Geek Daddy blog gives the new Marvel Star Wars comic books its nod of approval! 

UPDATE:  I just read Star Wars #2 and it was to quote Tony the Tiger "GREAT!!! "  I can't wait to get my hands on Star Wars #3 next month which is probably the first time I've felt that excited  about a comic book issue since I was 8 years old.