Toy and Miniature Museum
of Kansas City

Celebrating 50 Fabulous Years
with America's Favorite Doll - Barbie

November 14 to December 2010

Her name is universal. Her style is impeccable. Her image is iconic. Her world is a decade of dreams spanning 50 years of sensational style and luxurious living.

Who else could we be describing other than the one, the only, the beloved Barbie®!

In November 2009, the Toy & Miniature Museum presented their collection of America’s favorite doll, a collaboration of items loaned to the exhibit by collectors, transforming the Museum halls into a mecca of all that is Barbie®. Explore her life of splendor and the evolution of the world’s most iconic toy, bringing joy and imaginative play into the lives of children across the globe.

Visitors will experience a visual burst of Barbie® with hundreds of dolls spanning her 50 year reign as the premier fashion icon of our time. The exhibit will feature rare collectible dolls such as the original Barbie®, the original Dream Home, the Austin Healy sports car circa the 1960’s, the Corvette circa 1980’s, as well as the original German doll that Barbie® was modeled after, Bild Lilli.

Guests can envision a day in the life of Barbie® with her multitude of houses, cars and more, as well as explore her influential role in American culture. Families can recall cherished childhood memories and share favorite moments with Barbie® along the way. Kids will love the interactive experience, including hopping aboard a pedestal which gives a real life simulation of how tall Barbie’s® shoes are, or coloring their very own fashion plate!

Barbie® has truly lived in the lap of luxury, with more clothes, houses, cars and planes than most millionaires could acquire in a lifetime. Embark on a journey through the land of Barbie®, experience her decades of memorabilia and envision a day in the life of Barbie®!

Barbie® does much more for us than recall cherished memories of childhood play. She is a study on American culture, serving as the pinnacle of style and wealth evolving through generations. What ideals has she embodied? How have young children interacted with her? What influential role has she played? Exhibit visitors will be captivated with the cultural insight and knowledge shared about Barbie®’s role in American culture over the last half-century.