A Museum Visit With Something For Everyone

Visitors of all ages enjoy posing for pictures with The Simpsons. Photo courtesy of the Barker Character, Comic and Cartoon Museum
The gang’s all there: Shirley Temple, Popeye, Batman, the Simpsons and Betty Boop. Also, The Hulk, Barbie, Wall-E, Harry Potter, G.I. Joe, Charlie McCarthy and Howdy Doody. Visitors will also encounter Mickey and Minnie, the Three Stooges, the California Raisins, the Pillsbury Doughboy and too many other childhood characters, superheroes and legends to name.
From the moment you walk past the life-size statue of Po from the movie “Kung-Fu Panda” as you enter the Barker Character, Comic and Cartoon Museum in Cheshire, Conn., you’re in for a trip down memory lane — or a flashback to the beloved Saturday afternoon cartoons of your childhood. It’s a sure cure for cabin fever and a fun spring break outing for the entire family.
Nostalgia on steroids is a fitting way to describe the experience, sure to delight the young and the young-at-heart, whether 8 or 80.
“We’re pretty much like a nostalgia machine over here,” said museum docent Blake Bassett with a laugh. “We love to watch people’s expressions when they see a toy they remember from the ’30s or ’40s. They can often tell you exactly how it works.”
A common lament that usually follows, she said, is, “My mother threw mine away.”
Not so for museum owners Jerry and Stephen Barker. The 3,500-square-foot space includes the personal collection of their late parents, Gloria and Herbert Barker, who amassed about 80,000 items over more than four decades, including toys that their children had played with. A small number of items have also been donated by collectors.
Disney characters, famous actors, television shows, musicians, pop culture icons and marketing and sci-fi figures are represented through a dizzying assortment of toys, dolls, records, books, playing cards, rotary phones, comics, wagons, watches, games, lunch boxes, action figures — even animated films, posters and original artwork.
Elephant ramp walkers from 1873
The Barkers started their collection by visiting tag sales at a time before people realized that cast-off toys had an intrinsic value and interest for future generations. While the items were considered run-of-the-mill in their day, they are coveted collectibles today.
Two of the oldest toys in the collection prove that gravity works: They are the cast-iron elephant ramp walkers. Manufactured in 1873 by the Ives Toy Company in Bridgeport, Conn., they were the first automatons to be powered by gravity. One hundred and forty years later, they work as well as ever and lumber obligingly down even the slightest incline.
Barrett said what makes them even more interesting is that the Ives Company originally produced guns and ammunition during the Civil War, but once the war ended, they turned to toys. The ramp walkers, explained Barrett, are made from melted-down bullet casings.
“What a segue: weapons of war to children’s toys,” she mused.
Another item with an eye-opening history is an unopened tube of Mickey Mouse toothpaste from 1933.
“It was made with a special milk of magnesia flavor, and comes in a lead tube; they didn’t know the dangers” of lead toxicity back then, she said. At the time, lead was considered an inexpensive and easy metal to mold into toys.
Prizes, promotions and Betty Boop
Child stars of yesteryear are also represented here. Back in the day, Shirley Temple generated not just ticket sales, but a great deal of toys and associated items.
Prizes from old cereal boxes and promotions are a hot ticket as well. From 1934 to 1942, cobalt blue table settings, manufactured by the Hazel Atlas and U.S. Glass Companies, were given away as premiums for Wheaties and Bisquick, and are prized by today’s collectors.
Remember Betty Boop, Bimbo the dog and Koko the Clown? Betty, the feckless flapper who danced through life with her canine boyfriend Bimbo, first vamped her way into the public’s hearts as a sexy chanteuse in 1930 and continued to lift movie-goers’ hearts throughout the Great Depression with her song-filled adventures.
Among the most popular attractions with all ages are an 8-foot-tall statue of the Marvel superhero The Hulk, which served as a promotion for the 2008 movie of the same name; and life-size characters from The Simpsons. Both invite plenty of selfies and family photos.
“They only made about 200 Hulks,” noted Barrett.
Their value
beyond nostalgia
While all the museum items include price tags to give visitors an idea of their current value, none of the items are for sale. One of the most expensive items is a Popeye heavy-hitter toy valued at $14,000, said Barrett. The toy mimics the popular carnival game where people test their strength by wielding a hammer, causing a bell to ring if successful.
Since the museum opened in 1997, the Barker family has welcomed visitors from around the corner and around the world. The collection, which spans the years from 1873 to the 2020s, stimulates discussion among the generations in a way that few museums can. Every generation will find favorite toys; historians can savor an unusual glimpse into styles and trends of the past.
In addition, the Barkers were dedicated to preserving America’s rich cartoon heritage, and founded the largest retail animation and entertainment art gallery in the world, Barker Animation Art Gallery.
Barker Animation had its Grand Opening in West Hartford, Conn., in 1993; and in 1994, operations moved to the Barker complex in Cheshire, Conn.
The gallery maintains a collection of vintage and current artwork from artists in the fields of animation and pop culture. To give this artwork more exposure, Gloria and Herb opened an additional gallery at The Tanger outlets at Foxwoods in 2016.
If you decide to visit
The Barker Character, Comic and Cartoon Museum is at 1188 Highland Ave. in Cheshire, and is open by appointment only (call 203-272-2357). Face masks are mandatory.
Each visitor to the museum receives a self-guided tour booklet, and while there can peruse the vast collection of animation art, fine arts and collectibles available for purchase in the gallery next door.
Visitors can also enjoy a scavenger hunt, and stroll the grounds and pose for pictures with life-sized cartoon character cut-outs.
“You get the whole museum to yourself for the entire hour, for a more personal, interactive experience,” said Barrett.
Aradev LLC’s plans to redevelop Wake Robin Inn include four 2,000-square-foot cabins, an event space, a sit-down restaurant and fast-casual counter, a spa, library, lounge, gym and seasonal pool. If approved, guest room numbers would increase from 38 to 57.
LAKEVILLE — The public hearing for the redevelopment of Wake Robin Inn is over. Salisbury Planning and Zoning Commission now has two months to make a decision.
The hearing closed on Tuesday, Sept. 9, after its seventh session.
Michael Klemens, chair of P&Z, had warned at the opening of the proceedings that “this might be a long night” due to a last-minute influx of material from experts hired by Wells Hill Road residents William and Angela Cruger to oppose the project, but this turned out not to be the case.
These 11th hour submissions set a sour tone to the start of the meeting, with commissioner Robert Riva stating that it was “not very professional to pull this stunt on this Commission.” Riva said he had diligently reviewed the already substantial documentation provided by both the applicant and the opposing experts, and was surprised to find a “dump” of additional information submitted just hours before the meeting’s start time at 6 p.m.
Tensions were quickly eased, however, when William Cruger offered his concise summation of his platform’s opposition to the expansion, which is the second iteration of the project after an earlier version was withdrawn late last year.
“It’s important for you all to hear from me that there was never any disrespect intended to the Commission, the commissioners, and to the process,” Cruger said. He defended the last-minute submissions as an effort on the part of the experts to be thorough in their analysis: “Our intention… has been and remains to do our best to get whatever we think will be helpful in your deliberations into the record.”
The Crugers formally entered the hearing process as intervenors for the first application from Aradev LLC, the applicant, in the fall of 2024, meaning they and their hired consultants had full party status in the hearing proceedings. During this cycle, however, they chose not to petition for intervenor status, yet during this round of hearings their role has been similar. Klemens described them as having “almost intervenor status — not quite.”
William Cruger summarized the consultant’s findings for Aradev’s revised application, noting they found it to be “virtually identical in scale to the previous proposal.”
“Our position is that the proposed expansion would absolutely negatively impact the usefulness, enjoyment and value of the surrounding properties,” he said.
Aradev’s attorney Joshua Mackey countered by saying that the special permit conditions would elevate the currently non-conforming hotel in the zone, describing it as a “community asset that is improved, regulated, and safeguarded for generations to come.” He characterized Aradev as “the next steward of this storied property.”
After Mackey and Aradev co-founder Steven Cohen concluded their remarks, Klemens closed the hearing with no public comment, which he had stated would be the case at last week’s hearing session on Thursday, Sept. 4. Klemens said that P&Z will begin deliberating the proposal in early October after the commissioners have had the chance to review the information in the record.
A total of 45 letters, including the Crugers’ experts’ testimony, were submitted since the Sept. 4 meeting alone, alongside hundreds of pages of application materials and additional testimony.
As the Commission deliberates and reviews, all of this information is available for public viewing on the “Meeting Documents” subpage under P&Z’s section on the town website, www.salisburyct.us.
The Commission must issue a decision on the application by Nov. 13, the end of the statutorily defined deliberation window.
The Weavery is Stanton Home’s oldest activity space, featuring a collection of vintage and modern floor looms. It offers opportunities for building dexterity, creative expression, and social connection through fiber arts.
Stanton Home is holding its annual Harvest Roast fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 13 in Great Barrington, an evening of farm-to-table dining, live swing music, and community connection.
For nearly 40 years, Stanton Home has supported adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential programs, therapeutic services and skill-building activities.
“Here in the Berkshires, adults with diverse abilities often face barriers like limited housing, tricky transportation, and fewer opportunities for meaningful work,” said Executive Director Peter Stanton. “Stanton Home flips that script. Our mission is to partner with adults to pursue healthy, self-determined lives.”
The Harvest Roast features locally grilled meats, roasted vegetables from Stanton’s own gardens, warm apple crisp with SoCo Creamery ice cream, and beverages —all set to the swing and gypsy jazz rhythms of the Lucky 5 Band.
“The Harvest Roast is a celebration of what makes our community strong, inclusive, and vibrant,” Stanton said. “Every ticket and sponsored table supports programs that make a lasting difference.”
Guests will begin in the gardens with a signature cocktail before gathering at long farm tables for a shared meal and celebration.
“Though this night matters, the work is year-round,” Stanton added. “People can help by shopping locally at the farm store or buying handmade weavery goods, pitching in with time or skills, gardening, lending a hand at events or by partnering with Stanton’s programs like composting or sourcing local goods. Folks can also speak up for inclusion in their workplace or community circle. Even the smallest action helps keep the mission alive.”
Tickets are $125 per person. Proceeds support Stanton Home’s inclusive programs. Reserve at donorbox.org/events/771775/steps/choose_tickets or call 413-441-0761.
Following the memorable benefit reading last season of Charles Busch’s Tony-nominated Broadway hit, “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife,” the Sharon Playhouse will present a one-night-only staged reading of his riotous comic melodrama “Die Mommie Die!” on Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
The production —a deliciously over-the-top homage to classic Hollywood mid-century thrillers — continues the Playhouse’s artistic partnership with Busch, who reprises his iconic role of the glamorous yet troubled songstress Angela Arden.
The playwright and performer is no stranger to the Playhouse and, luckily, he’s supported by a truly stellar powerhouse cast of top-notch comic actors — some returning to the Playhouse stage, and some making their debut. The cast includes Richard Kind; two-time Tony Award nominee Kristine Nielsen, who was part of the original New York cast; Tony Award winner Celia Keenan-Bolger; Andrew Keenan-Bolger; and Claybourne Elder.
The production also marks a fortuitous alignment of talent and history. It is directed by Sharon Playhouse Artistic Director Carl Andress, who performed in the play’s Los Angeles premiere in 1999.
“I have a long and happy history with this particular show,” Andress said. “At the Sharon Playhouse, we’re thrilled to offer unforgettable, one-of-a-kind live experiences. With Charles Busch and this phenomenal cast, ‘Die Mommie Die!’ will surely light up the Olsen Stage with laughter, wit and glamour.”
The original music is by Lewis Flinn, whose score for the 2007 Off-Broadway production is being adapted specially for this event.
The play is a classic Charles Busch concoction that, like all his work, lovingly and intelligently spoofs some of the greatest talents and tropes of stage and screen. The original production was praised by critics as his “funniest, most accomplished and, without question, raunchiest work.”
In 2003, Busch won the Best Performance award at the Sundance Film Festival for the film version of “Die Mommie Die!” His indelible contributions to American theater have been recognized with countless awards and he was recently inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.
The event promises to be an unforgettable night of laughter, glamour and theatrical fun, with all proceeds going to benefit Sharon Playhouse’s productions and educational programs. The funds will help ensure that the Playhouse continues to thrive as a cultural destination for audiences and artists alike.
For tickets, visit: sharonplayhouse.org. Running time: 90 minutes.
Richard Feiner and Annette Stover have worked and taught in the arts, communications, and philanthropy in West Berlin, Paris, Tokyo, and New York. Passionate supporters of the arts, they live in Salisbury and Greenwich Village.