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 Updated: 5/8/2011 
Toy & Action Figure Museum
Pauls Valley, Oklahoma
Description

On Saturday, October 15, 2005 the Toy & Action Figure Museum opened in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. Our town's new Toy & Action Figure Museum, billed as the world's first, is the latest development in the super popularity of toy characters from kid's toys to collector's investments. Now, those in need of a hero are pulling off the interstate, onto Pauls Valley's old brick streets, to look at and play with plastic he-men and wonder women! To date the museum has had approximately 10,000 visitors from 28 states and 5 foreign countries. The collection of action figures, the largest in the world, is getting a lot of buzz on the Internet and even calls from overseas. Our mission is to educate and excite visitors with a comprehensive collection of classic "pop culture" toys, with an emphasis on the social and historic evolution of the action figure and to serve as a catalyst for the economic revitalization of historic downtown Pauls Valley. It is our goal to pay tribute to designers, sculptors and toy companies, while also educating and entertaining the public. The Toy & Action Figure Museum is also the home of the OKLAHOMA CARTOONIST COLLECTION that displays the work of Oklahoma artists and writers who created, wrote or drew editorial, sports and magazine cartoons, and comic books featuring Dick Tracy, Superman, Alley Oop, Batman, Luke Skywalker, Captain Marvel, Smilin' Jack, Spiderman, Bizarro, Tarzan, Buck Rogers, the X-Men and many more!!

History

The museum got its start in 2000 during a city-wide process called VISION 2010. In a series of meetings, local citizens identified goals they would like the community to reach in the next ten years. Many things were discussed. Among them the town wanted unique attractions that would help to make Pauls Valley a destination city. A board of directors was formed and the group acquired its 501c3 non-profit status and soon they began dreaming up the plans to build a state-of-the-art facility. After much research, it was decided that the museum would have an inter-active component to allow visitors of all ages the opportunity to actually play with the action figures, instead of keeping everything behind glass. This, and many other concepts have been realized, when the world's first action figure museum opened its doors on October 15, 2005.

Artifact Collections

Each year the Toy & Action Figure museum will induct different toys into a collection. In 2005, the original 12 inch GI Joe was so honored. This was the first toy line that was called a action figure. His creation was a direct result of the popularity of Barbie dolls. Todd McFarlane was so honored for his Spawn collection. The Oklahoma Cartoonists Collection displays the work of Oklahoma artists and writers who created, wrote, or drew editorial, sports and magazine cartoons, and comic books featuring Dick Tracy, Superman, Alley Oop, Batman, Luke Skywalker, Captain Marvel, Smilin' Jack, Spiderman, Bizarro, Tarzan, Buck Rogers, the X-Men and many more!!!

Research Collections

We would like to acquire rare items for the museum that the public has not had the opportunity to see before. These might include prototypes from older toy lines or artist's renderings, etc. The museum's goal is to build more unique and interesting displays that showcase the subject matter in ways not seen before. It is also our goal to encompass more lighting, sound and theatrics to create a look and feel that most museums have not yet explored.

Programs

Nation and State-wide tours. Group tours for school-age children, as well as, adults and senior citizens will be accommodated by the msuem. Special Events. At least three major events will be sponsored each year like Hot Wheels races, customizing classes, special unveiling of toy lines, etc. Classes on collecting toys. Classes in creative writing, character and script development. Classes in two dimensional action figure design. Classes in two dimensional toy and character design. Permanent toy displays. Drive the coin-operated Batmobile. The museum offers several inter-active toy rooms so that children can enjoy a "hands on" experience.

Governance

The Toy & Action Figure Museum is a private non-profit governed by a nine-member board of directors.

Library

Access: General Public, Students, Scholars

Appointment required: False

Street Address
111 South Chickasaw Street
Pauls Valley, OK 73075
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 314
Pauls Valley, OK 73075
phone: 405-238-6300
e-mail: kevinstark@cox.net
home page: www.actionfiguremuseum.com
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Hours of Operation

The museum is open from 10AM to 5PM. Tuesday through Saturday. 1PM to 5PM on Sundays. Closed Mondays.

Admission
Museum Type(s)
Specialized
Staff
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