Ages 9 – 12: The Last Toy Soldier

Eli Whitney Museum

Show Menu
Thumbnail of Ages 9 – 12: The Last Toy Soldier project

Vacation Program

  • Tuesday, November 11, 2014
  • 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Designed for ages 9 to 12

All wars are messy. The 1914 War introduced new messes. It was a war of new machines – the machine gun, the submarine, the tank, and the airplane. The War's generals had learned their strategies in the chessboard conflicts of cavalry charges, colorful uniforms, and a very different world.

The war was so messy that governments didn't report its mistakes and problems. Construct a toy tank and submarine and tin soldiers just as the young toymaker A.C. Gilbert made them. They are fun and harmless. They also tell stories that are more myth than history.

Your One Model Plane (a special small group)
If you are 10 or older, super patient, and looking for a once in a lifetime challenge, a small group will construct classic plastic models of WWI airplanes. The glue is safe. But the parts are small and require real patience. Your grandfather struggled with these when he was young. Elliot is a master of the art. He has a thoughtful strategy. But he promises hard work. (Call if you'd like to sample the work first.)

This collection of model kits was a generous gift of Louis Audette.

Instructor: Wm Brown


Back to Top