100 Years of Toys Set for Exhibition at NJ's Liberty Hall Museum, Starting 10/5

Vintage toys that span more than 100 years will be on display in the interactive and fascinating exhibit, TOYS THROUGH TIME: THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN FUN, which opens at Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University Monday, October 5.

The exhibit features toys that date from the 1850s through the 1960s, which were owned by the Kean family in the years in which they lived at Liberty Hall. This fun-for-all-ages exhibit will also be the first time a New Jersey museum will use "augmented reality" technology to enhance the visitor experience.

"Augmented reality technology allows us to provide additional information or historical context for the toys in the exhibit," said William Schroh, Jr., director of museum operations. "The visitor may hear a radio broadcast, view an original television commercial for the toy or see the toy in action."

Students at Kean University's Robert Busch School of Design created the six augmented reality posters that will be displayed throughout the exhibit. When viewed through a smartphone or tablet camera using a free app, the posters reveal the additional content. The museum will have iPads available for visitors without access to a smartphone or tablet.

Toy lovers old and young will find something to excite and reflect upon at the Toys Through Time exhibit. An exquisite 9-room dollhouse from 1878 has magnificent Victorian-era detail in the furnishings. World War II era toys include the Junior Air Raid Warden Blackout Kit and Bombs Away!, where children would drop dart "bombs" onto a corkboard map of a city to score points. Another toy, Mr. Machine, dates to 1960 and was the first toy that could be taken apart and put back together.

"All of these toys reflect the times in which they were made," said Schroh. "Through these toys, we get a glimpse into the events and cultural changes that were shaping society. We hope to inspire grandparents, parents and children to talk -- about the toys, about how they played as children, and about the times in which they grew up."

Not only will visitors get the chance to view all of these amazing toys at the Toys Through Time exhibit, the tour will conclude in an interactive playroom where they will be able to play with reproduction vintage toys, some of which are on display in the exhibit.

"The exhibit offers a lesson in history the fun way, with toys." said Schroh.

TOYS THROUGH TIME: THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN FUN runs through July 2016. For more information, visit www.kean.edu/libertyhall.

Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University is the former home of New Jersey's first elected governor and signer of the Constitution, William Livingston. Built in 1772, on the eve of the American Revolution, Liberty Hall has been a silent witness to nearly 250 years of American history. Over the last two centuries, the original 14-room Georgian-style home has grown into a 50-room Victorian-style mansion. Members of the Livingston and Kean families who occupied the house have included governors, U.S. representatives and senators, entrepreneurs, and pioneering women with vision and strength. The stories of their lives, passed down from generation to generation, are preserved within the museum and tell how these families met the challenges of a changing nation.

Founded in 1855, Kean University has become one of the largest metropolitan institutions of higher education in the region, boasting a richly diverse student, faculty and staff population. Kean continues to play a key role in the training of teachers and is a hub of educational, technological and cultural enrichment serving nearly 15,000 students. The Nathan Weiss Graduate College offers three doctorate degree programs and more than 60 options for graduate study leading to master's degrees, professional diplomas or certifications. The University's five undergraduate colleges offer 50 undergraduate degrees over a full range of academic subjects. With campuses in Union and Toms River, NJ, and Wenzhou, China, Kean University provides a world-class education. Visit Kean online at www.kean.edu.

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