Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, NY a Delight for all Ages

A unique museum that celebrates the joy of play, the Rochester, NY-based Strong National Museum of Play is designed as an attraction for both children and their parents or guardians, providing a plethora of things to see and do all under one large roof.

Named for local philanthropist Margaret Woodbury Strong, the museum is dedicated to "the study of play as it illuminates American culture.'' An independent, non-profit, educational organization, the museum also explores play as it relates to human development and critical thinking.

Supported by grants, contributions, and admission fees, Strong National Museum of Play is considered by most to be a children's museum but others also recognize it as a unique history museum because of its unusual and expansive collections. The museum is in possession of a collection that includes 500,000 objects related to play, the largest collection of its kind in the world, as well as a collection of 10,000 toy catalogs. The museum's permanent collection began with Mrs. Strong, who was an avid collector of many things but was especially intrigued by dolls and toys.

Many of the exhibits at the museum are permanent but others come and go. Most appeal to all ages. In Reading Adventureland, for example, guests can watch their favorite kid's books come to life in the form of a pop-up book. A permanent Sesame Street exhibit lets kids get up close and personal with the characters and scenes from this long-running show. A Time Lab explores changing trends in toys while the Super Kids Market lets little ones play with toys that emulate real life.

One History Place explores life a century ago and allows visitors to engage in a favorite playtime activity - dress up. Field of Play includes items that illustrate the six major elements of play - Anticipation, Surprise, Pleasure, Understanding, Strength, and Poise - while the Things for Play exhibit demonstrates how the items we play with reflect who we are or what we'll one day be.

There's also a huge Berenstain Bears exhibit, a colorful butterfly garden, a 1,700-gallon coral reef aquarium, and a number of "Make It and Take It'' craft stations that allow little ones to create projects they can take home with them.

Also inside the Strong Museum is the National Toy Hall of Fame, established in 1998 to recognize toys that have inspired creative play as well as those which have sustained popularity for long periods of time. Toys are "inducted'' annually and may be viewed by museum goers in their own separate gallery near the museum's grand staircase. Inducted toys include Barbie, LEGOS, the Hula Hoop, Slinky, Scrabble, Mr. Potatohead, Monopoly, Silly Putty, the ViewMaster, and many other perennial favorites.

The National Center for the History of Electronic Games is also located at the Strong National Museum of Play. Here, experts gather to collect, interpret, and study electronic games and related materials. Many are made available for guests to play. Plans are underway for a permanent electronic games exhibit that will allow museum patrons more interaction with the games.

This 150,000-square foot museum is open daily all year round. A food court is available on site as are several museum shops.