Military Museum to host public programs on Toys and Tanks exhibit

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One of Retired Lt. Col. Paul Fanning's models on display at the New York State Military Museum.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (04/06/2013)(readMedia)-- The NYS Military Museum is offering two new Saturday afternoon public presentations in April that are related to one of its exhibits that are currently on display.

"Toys and Tanks: The Model Army" is a two part exhibit featuring collections of rare and vintage 1960?s and 1970?s GI Joe figures and accessories and military model dioramas of New York National Guard units which fought in World War II. Now the visiting public will get the chance to meet the two men behind the collections who will talk about their hobbies and the military and cultural significance behind them.

The two programs are set for 1 p.m. on Saturday April 20 for the G.I. Joe collection and Saturday April 27 at 1 p.m. for the model dioramas.

Tearle Ashby's extensive collection of G.I. Joes was actually created long after he had grown up and put his favorite childhood toy behind him. He began his own collection after attending a G.I. convention at the Intrepid Museum in New York City and he remembered the fun he had as a child when the toy was first introduced. G.I. Joes are now a popular subject for collectors and his collection of more than 1,000 is unique. Ashby will talk about the history behind the toy, its popularity and it's come back as highly-sought collectables.

Paul Fanning, a retired National Guard officer, has been creating models of historic New York units for many years as another means to tell the history of New York soldiers in peace and war. His presentation will include a discussion about the stories behind the pieces and the kits that are available today. He will share some of his model-making methods and techniques to building detailed and realistic looking scale replicas. Fanning is also offering to help other modelers who come with a sample of their own work by providing support and suggestions to help them with their own hobby experience.

The programs are free and will run less than an hour.

Source: http://readme.readmedia.com/Military-Museum-to-host-public-programs-on-Toys-and-Tanks-exhibit/5946927

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