Museum shares its toy tradition with display

Some of the antique toy soldiers in the display cabinet for the Military Toys display at the Missouri National Guard Headquarters.
Some of the antique toy soldiers in the display cabinet for the Military Toys display at the Missouri National Guard Headquarters.

For the past 17 years, the Museum of Missouri Military History has provided a flashback to past military toys dating back to the 1940s during the holiday season.

From now until Jan. 30, at least 100 different models of military toys will be on display at the Kiefner Building, located at 22302 Militia Drive on the Missouri National Guard Base Headquarters.

Museum Director Charles Machon said visitors can see a range of toys including G.I. Joes, tanks, ships, BB guns, children's uniforms and various military Barbies that were popular during times of war.

The museum will also display historic advertisements featuring various military toys along with their descriptions and prices.

Museum interns Hailey Heil and Ben Truska, students at the University of Missouri, helped carry on the 17-year tradition, organizing the exhibit for display.

"Since the first time we put this on we have seen a shift in the kinds of toys that have been manufactured in more recent years as opposed to before," Machon said. "We have a unique, diverse selection of toys that we have to share."

For example, Machon said, one set of toys features military Barbie dolls representing the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps branches of the U.S. military. The collection even includes a doll representing a Navajo Code Talker, recruited during World War I by the Marines, and a female helicopter pilot.

The exhibit will be open to the public 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Anyone interested in donating a military toy for next year's display can contact Machon at 573-638-9603.