Over 300 people turned out to the St. Lucie County Regional History Center on July 11 th for Summer Family Fun Day. The event celebrated the opening of the new special exhibit, "Florida Girls and Boys and their Toys". The exhibit provided visitors with the history and quirky stories behind many of the most famous toys of the 20 th century. Timelines of continuity and change showcased how toys have changed and stayed the same throughout time. Educational components of the exhibit also show how toys are a human cultural universal. The exhibit also features photographs of children at play from the 19 th and 20 th century. The photographs are on loan from the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee. Kids and adults alike enjoyed spending time at the play stations set up in the exhibit and throughout the Center. The Register- Gardner house featured 1908 toys and games while the exhibit itself featured the most popular toys of the Baby Boomer generation. A showing of classic TV toy commercials intrigued the adults as the phrase "I remember that!" or "I had that!" echoed through the halls.

Bryanna Salvay, 9 from Fort Pierce was most interested in the fact that roller-skates have been around since 1910 but have also "changed so much over time".

Kids and adults were also treated to an assortment of food vendors and toys vendors from around the Treasure Coast. Kids especially loved the bounce house, face painting, crafts, games and free toys that were given away by the Center. "In the age of TV and video games we are trying to get children to play again." says Center volunteer, Shweta Tiwari. "The toys we are giving out today include yo-yos, tops, jacob's ladders and more. These toys enhance the motor skills and problem solving techniques of small children. Even the simplest toy can be very educational."

"It is amazing how toys are such a cultural universal" says Museum Superintendent John Donlon. For instance, archaeology shows us that many toys such as tops, jacks and others were being used simultaneously by two completely different cultures. Sometimes humanity is more alike than it is different.

In the days following the opening celebration over 500 visitors poured into the Center to see the exhibit. The exhibit is officially scheduled to run until October 31 st. Following the Toys exhibit will be the special exhibit, "Pirates in Paradise: A history of piracy on the Florida East Coast", slated to open in Spring 2010.