
Let's Play! New England Toy Stories
Heritage Museums & Gardens, 2020
Sandwich, Massachusetts
An exhibit for families about the history of toy design and manufacturing in New England.
Photography by Matthew Clowney


Visitors are greeted by the exhibit's invitational title and a guessing game challenging visitors to guess the New England-based toys represented by the multicolor silhouettes along the base of the wall.

The introduction wall is supported by the centrally-located Toy Design Studio, a hands-on space about how commercial toys are designed and created.

The toys and games in the exhibition are grouped thematically and each group has its own color.

The Game Tables are set up for visitors to play board games, surrounded by colorful displays of New England-made toys.

Each section has its own introduction panel.

Round Key Players labels spotlight influential New England toy designers.

Unlike the other collections objects in the exhibit, this marble run is not displayed behind glass and has signage that explicitly invites visitors to try it out.

The green Learn section displays toys that were intended to instruct or help children develop skills.

I designed these colorful custom cases to fit the exhibition's midcentury-inspired design. A motion sensor in the lower support turns the interior lights on when a visitor approaches.