Happy Birthday, GI Joe at the Wenham Museum

In 1964, just three years after Mattel, Inc. launched their Ken doll, Hasbro, Inc. introduced the world to “America's Moveable Fighting Man®”, G.I. Joe™. This month is the action figure’s 50th birthday and we are celebrating with an exhibit exploring the history of Joe in his 50 years. Admire a display of the first toy action figure featuring Rocky the marine/soldier, Skip the sailor, Ace the pilot, and G.I. Joe (the original 1964 names) and discover how these figures, prototypes,and accessories changed toy design and playtime for generations.

G.I. Joe enthusiasts are invited to an adult lecture held Saturday, March 1, 2014 hosted by a local GI Joe collector. Joe was sold as a fighting man, and has lived up to this title by managing to survive the battlefronts of an ever changing and fickle market. The guest lecturer will share a rare display of G.I. Joe figures, vehicles, playsets and equipment from his private collection.