Our favorite toys from childhood can evoke a strong sense of nostalgia. They can transport us back to a simpler time, when our biggest concerns were playing on our living room carpet and having fun. When I was researching information for this article, I came across a photo of a vintage Fisher-Price Garage that immediately pulled me back to the carpet of my preschool classroom. If you’re looking to reminisce about days of childhood past, join the Aurora Public Library District (APLD) Monday, Sept. 11 when we explore the history of the Fisher-Price toy company and what to do with your own boxes of treasured memories.
Our presenter, Cheryl Brown, is a historian and professor at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines. She has a passion for Chicagoland history and sharing memories collectively with others through her presentations. Librarian Megan Cavitt chose to be host to Brown at APLD because her programs are rooted in local history. “Brown does a lot of research about childhood in the Chicago area (she gives a presentation on the defunct Melrose Park amusement park Kiddieland).” said Cavitt. “
I was intrigued by her Fisher-Price presentation because I knew it would appeal to more people than just those who grew up near Chicago.” People tend to have strong memories of things from their childhood: Toys, furniture, amusement parks, clothes, but, they no longer think about those things on a day-to-day basis. As soon as they’re reminded of a specific item, they reconnect with that part of themselves for a short time.
Seeing the toys again can help us to relive those happy memories and remind us of our childhood imagination. If the Disney/Pixar Toy Story franchise taught us anything, it’s that a toy’s purpose in life is to be played with. What better way to rekindle that childhood magic than by passing your toys down to the next generation? That’s what recently happened in Cavitt’s family. “I had my first child last year and my mom brought him some of the Fisher-Price Little People that I grew up with.” recalled Cavitt. “We have a bus for them to ride around in but there’s just one too many to fit in the bus. As soon as I saw it, I remembered being a little kid who was slightly frustrated that not all the Little People could ride the bus at the same time!” Isn’t it funny which memories stick and which stay behind in childhood?
If you think your toy treasures may be worth actual treasure, give them a second life by having them assessed as collectibles. During her Library presentation, Brown will teach us how to assess the age and value of any old Fisher-Price toys sitting in storage at home. Adults who had Fisher-Price toys as kids will enjoy seeing the multiple generations and versions from over the years, and how their worth changes depending on the condition of the items. Maybe this information can inspire you to dig up other potential collectibles in your home and conduct research on the potential value. The library has resources for collectors such as the Miller’s Collectibles Handbook & Price Guide and books in our catalog on specific items (coin or stamp collecting for example) to get you started. And besides, simply seeing the contents in those storage boxes is a reminder of things that made you happy.
Fisher-Price Remembered: The History and Value of Toys with Cheryl Brown will be live on Zoom on Monday, Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. and customers can register to view the program online from their own device or join us in the Eola Road Branch Large Meeting Room where you’ll be able to interact with Cheryl on the big screen. For more information and to register for the program, please visit www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/event/8698057 or contact the library at 630-264-117.
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.