The New London Public Museum presents a new exhibit, “Star Wars: The Nostalgia Awakens.”
The fan-created traveling exhibit is on display now through Jan. 26, 2019.
“Star Wars” was instantly a box office hit when it hit movie theaters in 1977.
For the children who wanted to play with their favorite characters, Kenner Toys manufactured hundreds of action figures, vehicles and play sets featured in the movies “Star Wars,” “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi” from 1978 to 1985.
“The Nostalgia Awakens” features every toy produced by Kenner Toys based on the original three “Star Wars” movies. The display includes 100 unique action figures, five larger creatures, 19 vehicles and 13 play sets.
The Star Wars toys on display are from the collection of Jarrod Roll, a “Star Wars” fan and museum curator from West Salem.
He and his brother, Kevin, owned many of the toys when they were children, and Jarrod collected the rest of the original toys as an adult.
“The Star Wars movies and toys were some of the best things from my childhood,” Jarrod said. “Collecting the toys as an adult allowed me to revisit those wonderful feelings.”
The museum is located at 406 S. Pearl St. and is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
The exhibit is made possible by the Friends of the New London Public Museum.