The Children’s Toy and Doll Museum at 206 Gilman Ave. in Marietta. (File photo)

The Children’s Toy and Doll Museum, at 206 Gilman Ave., has announced its 2026 season opening on Saturday, May 2. Museum officials said this year, it will emphasize its role as a “multi-generational destination,” inviting residents of all ages to explore the history of play and local heritage.

Visitors will be able to view several new exhibits this year, including:

* Antique Fire Truck Models (1890-1950s): An intricate look at a century of firefighting history.

* Games of Yesteryear: A nostalgic collection highlighting how children entertained themselves before the digital age.

* Painted Oilcloth Dolls: A showcase of rare craftsmanship and folk-art history.

The Children’s Toy and Doll Museum is often visited by young children, and there is an interactive play room on the first floor for them to enjoy as they look at the displays. (File photo)

These additions join returning displays, such as the museum’s collection of WWI and WWII model airplanes and a tribute to 1950s rock-n-roll culture.

In an effort to remain an accessible resource for the Mid-Ohio Valley, the museum officials said it will continue to offer its “immediate family” admission rate. For $10, an immediate family can spend the afternoon exploring the nine-room Victorian-style home filled with treasures.

“We want this to be a place where grandparents can share their own childhood stories with their grandkids,” museum officials said. “It’s about more than just toys; it’s about connecting the generations through shared memories.”

The museum will be open from 1-4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday May 2 through Nov. 1.

Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children and $10 for the immediate family pass.

This small Children’s Toy and Doll Museum exhibit, named “Marietta’s First Law Office,” was made by Richard Hill from Marietta. It features a lawyer’s office on the top floor and a bar on the bottom floor. (File photo)

Parking is free and available on-site.

For more information or to schedule a group tour, visit the museum during regular weekend hours.

Several displays at the Children’s Toy and Doll Museum are fashioned after real buildings in the Mid-Ohio Valley, such as Wendelken and Co., a store in Marietta that has since shut down. (File photo)