WILMINGTON — Many families have toys in the attic that might have been handed down from previous generations. Dolls, miniature cars and trucks, wind-up figures, board games, sleds, train sets and bicycles often populate the nearly forgotten corners in crawl spaces, basements and garages.
These can be treasure troves that serve as a link to previous generations and shed light on how relatives enjoyed their leisure time before the advent of the Internet and video games. It’s important to ensure that these family treasures last so future generations can enjoy this link to the past — or that they hold their value when looking to sell these heirlooms to antique dealers.
With that in mind, the Meriam R. Hare Quaker Heritage Center at Wilmington College is presenting a program, “Caring for Your Heirloom Toys,” by Sara Fisher of the Ohio History Service Corps March 7, at 7:30 p.m., in the QHC.
Ruth Brindle, QHC curator, said such artifacts often provide an important sense of family continuity and discovery as they are passed on through the generations. Persons are invited to bring some of their family heirloom toys to complement the discussion and gain insight into caring for these treasures.
The event is part of the QHC’s exhibit, “Knick Knacks & Knowledge,” which runs through April 28. Normal gallery hours are weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with special Saturday hours, noon to 5 p.m., on Feb. 25, March 25 and April 22. Special appointments are coordinated through the curator.
