The toys are coming out to play

MuseumExhibitions's blog | Created 1 decade ago

The Western Australian Museum has a nationally significant collection of 24,000 items that is reflective of Western Australian childhood in all its diversity. The collection was donated to the WA Museum in 2009 by Edith Cowan University and has been in storage since.

The ECU Museum of Childhood Collection is noted for its diverse range of pieces. Featuring examples of both professionally and home-made items, the collection includes: toys, clothes, school equipment and other childhood items. Many of the delightful home-made toys were improvised for children at times of economic hardship, isolation or wartime austerity. Whatever their provenance, all are a poignant reflection of home life in Western Australia in years gone by.

Heritage Perth is thrilled to announce some of the toys will be ‘coming out to play’ for Perth Heritage Days 2013. The WA Museum will be displaying items from this amazing collection – recognised as the most comprehensive in Australia It is a rare opportunity for people to see pieces that have been lovingly collected and carefully conserved, and will this year be part of an exhibition called, “Australian Toys – a Century of Fun”.

To make the exhibition even more special, Heritage Perth is inviting everyone to join in the fun. Many people have toys that belonged to family members and have been handed down through successive generations. These treasures remind us of the original owner and the joys of childhood in years gone by. If you have some old toys that you would be willing to loan to the safe hands of Heritage Perth for a couple of weeks in November 2013, we would love to incorporate them into what is sure to be a remarkable exhibition. If you are interested, please contact Heritage Perth by no later than 30 September 2013.

For more information about the “Australian Toys – a Century of Fun”exhibition,

Contact Richard Offen

T: (08) 9461 3244 or E: info@heritageperth.com