New Museum Opens Doors to History of Comics, Toys

By Mark Hoerrner

Remember that special Mickey Mouse plush toy you had as a child? Remember opening your first comic book? Steve Geppi hopes you remember and that you’ll visit his new Geppi Entertainment Museum in the heart of Baltimore, MD.

Decades of memorabilia have been collected and showcased in lit glass cases around the museum. It’s a living record of all of the things that made us smile through the years, from the mail-order clubs we joined to Disneyana galore and a huge selection of vintage comics.

The 17,000 sq. ft. exhibit space is designed to take visitors on a journey through how popular culture has evolved and was mass-marketed to the public.

"The design of the new museum is to lead the spectator through the gradual -- then, speedy -- expansion of pop-culture artifacts, so that entering a room will immerse the visitor in a specific era," says Comics Buyers Guide Editor Maggie Thompson. "In that way, influences and expanding impacts become almost instinctively apparent. When Lindbergh flies to France in 1927, there’s a sudden explosion of toys, games, and other treats involving airplanes."

Thompson toured the museum prior to opening day and was amazed by the interactive journey she took. She notes that with the Lindbergh flight, there is an interrelative event with Walt Disney’s "Plane Crazy." Thompson was clearly amazed at what she witnessed.

"None of this project has been easy to complete," she notes. "The planning has involved everything from coming up with the basic concept of popular culture evolution to what to include to how to paint the walls to how best to display an iconic comics-button pinback. I’m in awe, and it’s still a work in progress."

The museum was developed in order to chart the progress of cultural icons.

"Each time a new form of media has emerged," write Steve Geppi, the museum’s founder, "fresh characters have sprung up and older, successful ones have been revived, helping to popularize products from, juice, milk, other beverages, bread, cereal and candy to a dazzling array of consumer products. Through this process a wide range of characters has been instilled in the American psyche."

The museum is open to the public 10-6 April through October and 10-5 November through March. Adult tickets are $10; seniors $8; and children under 12 $6.50.