AKRON'S OWN LOCK 3
HISTORY MUSEUM FEATURES NEW EXHIBITS AND A "BLUE SANTA"
The Akron History Exhibit and
American Toy & Marble Museum at Lock 3 welcomed its 100,000th
visitor this fall since opening in 2003. Once the site of the
American Toy Marble Manufacturing Company at the turn of the 20th
century, this unique museum showcases the game of marbles and
exhibits from Akron's industrial past, from canal boat building to
lighter than air technologies.
This year visit Akron's own
tiny Blue Santa. During the excavation of the Lock 3 site in 2002,
thousands of century-old items were revealed. Among the marbles,
animal shapes, jugs, thimbles, and electric insulators were five
shapes of Santa Claus. The most intact of the Christmas objects was
covered with a blue glaze. Dated to the mid 1890's, it is one of the
earliest representations of St. Nicholas to be manufactured for mass
distribution.
Reproductions are available for
purchase.
http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/News_Releases/2007/1113.htm