Toy Town & Monopoly at the Detroit Historical MuseuM
The Detroit Historical Society’s 2024 holiday exhibition, TOY TOWN, opened to great fanfare at the Detroit Historical Museum on November 9, 2024, and runs through January 5, 2025. The exhibit takes visitors on a nostalgic journey through time, showcasing dozens of vintage toys from the 1800s to the 1990s. This friendly family display celebrates the toys that defined generations and is a must see for all ages.
The opening weekend, November 8-10, was marked by an enormous wave of media coverage, including features on CBS Detroit, FOX 2 Detroit, WDIV and WXYZ TV networks and in Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, MLIVE, and Oakland Press, newspapers across the region. The exhibit received widespread acclaim for its charm and historical value, drawing significant attention to Detroit's rich toymaking legacy.
Adding to the excitement, Toy Town coincided with the launch of the new Detroit edition of Monopoly, unveiled at a private event on November 8. The iconic game is now available at the museum store, with Mr. Monopoly himself making appearances at the exhibition’s opening. Visitors are encouraged to lend their own vintage toys or share their Detroit toy stories to help make this exhibition even more special.
The Detroit Historical Museum's 2024 holiday exhibition, TOY TOWN, combined nostalgia and community engagement to create a resounding success. By showcasing Detroit's rich toymaking history and launching the new Detroit edition of Monopoly, the event captured widespread attention and generated impressive media coverage.
EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS
TOY TOWN: Featuring vintage toys from the 1800s to the 1990s, the exhibit resonated with visitors of all ages.
Detroit Monopoly Launch: The unveiling of the Detroit edition of Monopoly on November 8 added a unique and interactive element to the festivities, with appearances by Mr. Monopoly.
MEDIA COVERAGE SUCCESS
National and Local TV Coverage:
Total audience: 4,670,576 viewers.
Total publicity value: $872,588, with enthusiastic coverage from major networks like CBS Detroit, FOX 2 Detroit, WDIV, and WXYZ.
Radio Coverage:
Audience: 4,829,188 listeners.
Publicity value: $7,076, providing cost-effective outreach to local audiences.
Online and Print Media:
Reach: Massive audience of 276,804,242 through outlets like Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, MLIVE and Oakland Press.
Publicity value: $2,691,573, showcasing the exhibition's wide digital and regional print appeal.
Social Media Engagement:
Reach: 2,031,800 followers.
Publicity value: $50,795, emphasizing direct community connection.
KEY RESULTS
TOY TOWN has successfully positioned the Detroit Historical Museum as a hub for nostalgic family friendly activities while celebrating Detroit's cultural heritage. Over $3.6 million, underscoring the exhibition's outstanding return on promotional efforts. The synergy between TOY TOWN and the Monopoly launches generated excitement, foot traffic, and community involvement. Encouraging visitors to contribute vintage toys or personal stories created a unique, collaborative, and evolving experience.