8 • June 5-6, 2020 LOCAL Staff Reports There’s always something more for visitors coming to the World’s Largest Toy Museum Complex, one of Branson’s top five must-see attractions. This year, guests will see subtle and noticeable additions including seven new six-feet by eight-foot outdoor murals, fantastic Day-Glo carpeting, new signage, redone entryways and more than 50 new cases for toys. They’ll also be delighted to see beefed up displays for G.I. Joe’s and toy soldiers, more intricate dollhouses and a Christmas Carol story featuring marionettes hand-made by local artist Richard E. McCloud. “We don’t believe a museum should be static and never change,” said owner Tom Beck, who operates the complex with wife Wendy. “People want to see new things. We constantly give them new reasons to come back for a visit.” year,” Merrill said. “Most people might say they want to go to Disneyland, but not us.” bransonglobe.com New décor, bigger exhibits for visitors to World’s Largest Toy Museum lion toys. Merrill and her husband Christian and two children Sean and Samantha, spent a full afternoon at the Toy Museum with the parents informing the young ones what they missed out on while perusing toys of the 1960s and 70s at the Memory Barn. For Robert Thomason, the Toy Museum offered his wife and four daughters to bond over fun. “There’s so much to see and do here at the Toy museum,” he said. “You could easily spend all day here!” That’s what the Becks said they love to hear. Nearly twenty years ago, the For Halee Merrill, Branson has always been on her mind to visit, even if it meant a seven-hour drive from Canton, TX. Sean Dangerfield of Canton, TX sees how he measures up to mannequin President Abraham Lincoln. (Branson Globe photo) “No matter the pandemic, we wanted to come to Branson this couple loaded three semi-trailers of collectible toys departing from Amarillo, TX and planting their dreams in Branson. Since then, the collection has blossomed into seven unique museums and more than one mil“I guess that would take up to 25 semi-trailers now,” Beck said. Guests will find toys of all kinds as well as memorabilia including the original “The Shepard of the Hills” manuscript. You name it, vintage toys, BB guns, army men, Barbies, magic tricks, model cars and much more provide a full day of delight for young and old alike. More than 26,000 square feet of toys, antiques and collectibles at the complex include: • The National BB Gun Museum • World of Checkers Museum • Roy Roger’s Western Collection • Paul Harvey Museum • Harold Bell Wright Museum • Stearnsy Bear Museum The World’s Largest Toy Museum Complex is located at 3609 W. Hwy 76, Branson, Mo. For more information, visit worldslargesttoymuseum.com or call 417-332-1499. Robert Thomason and wife Whitney of Clarkton, Mo., look on as their daughters, left to right, Quinlynn, Adriana Nicole, Harlei and Alana interact with toys. (Branson Globe photo)
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