Vintage Toys on Display in ‘Toy Town’ Exhibit at Detroit Museum

There’s something magical and collectible about vintage toys—they carry on the joy of generations gone or grown. This holiday season, community members have come together to help curate a toy-filled experience that revisits childhood nostalgia. The museum is the Detroit History Museum, located at 5401 Woodward Ave—and the exhibit is Toy Town, featuring vintage toys from the 1800s through the 1990s.

Many toys are on loan from Detroit residents, making Toy Town more personal than your standard museum exhibit. Alongside the toys, visitors will find heartwarming photos of their owners as children. Highlights of the collection include ornate antique dollhouses, vintage Barbies and dolls, board games, sports equipment, video games, and early action figures.

Admission to Toy Town is included with a ticket to the Detroit Historical Museum. Pricing is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, students, active military, and first responders, and $6 for kids—children under six can visit for free. For sports enthusiasts, the museum also features Gridiron Heroes, a Detroit Lions exhibit that showcases iconic pieces from the franchise’s history, open through August 2025.

Vintage toys can be especially valuable, sometimes commanding high prices in collector markets. For instance, original Star Wars action figures from the 1970s and 1980s, especially those in mint condition or unopened packaging, can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars at auctions.¹ Similarly, antique tin toys from the early 20th century, particularly those produced by companies like Marx or Lehmann, can fetch several hundred to several thousand dollars.²

The value of vintage toys is also influenced by their popularity and nostalgic appeal, with toys that resonate with childhood memories for specific generations often driving demand. This makes certain iconic brands and characters—like Barbie, G.I. Joe, or Matchbox cars—highly sought after by both seasoned collectors and those seeking to reclaim a piece of their past.