The collection of toys and games illustrates how childhood and play have changed over 200 years, as well as how they have stayed the same. The toys reflect the technological innovations and popular culture of an era. Six distinct functions of child-related artifacts in American culture are illustrated. Toys function as: teaching tools, cultural symbols, products of innovation, marketing tools, elements of social ritual, and as forms of personal expression. Major categories: Transportation toys; Tin "Penny Toys"; Banks; Human figures; Building / Construction toys; Puzzles; Educational toys; Optical toys; Child Development and manual dexterity toys; Musical / Noisemaking toys; Military toys; Toy animals; Toy Villages and Buildings; Tea sets; Dolls; Doll clothes and accessories; Doll Houses; Doll Houses accessories; Games; Children's Vehicles.
