Projects around VFW Marble Tournaments come to inception

[Greatmacscott]

Preview: Update on VFW Marble Tournament Research

After 6 plus years of researching the VFW National Marble Tournaments and interviewing over one hundred of the "boys" that played in the national tournaments, two great events are kicking off this month.
The Book:
The Kings of the Rings: Stories from the VFW National Marble Tournaments 1947-1962 has gone to the printer. Soon to be available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and Kobo. It is a history of the BFW marble tournaments and the memories of individual marble players

The Museum Exhibit:
Marble playing ruled playgrounds for much of the 20th century. Requiring only a handful of marbles and a patch of dirt, the game crossed all economic and social barriers. In 1947, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) created a national marble tournament that was a life-changing experience for the thousands of kids who participated. "Playing for Keeps" tells the firsthand stories of the players alongside their souvenirs, trophies, and marble memorabilia. Learn their stories and then knuckle down to experience the thrill of the game in a regulation-size marble ring. On view November 11, 2017 through January 6, 2019 at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Presented in partnership with the Missouri Humanities Council with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Pictures of the exhibit will be available after it opens. It includes memorabilia of the tournaments including a 1947 Whizzer motor
bike just like the one awarded to the national champion.

[Steph]

Exciting!  

[Mikie_T]

Very cool...!!!

 

[BobBlock]

Looking forward to seeing the exhibit during the KC Marble Show in March.

[Royal3]

Thanks for the update, Scott. I’ll look for the book - it will make a great Christmas gift for a couple of folks. And I needed a good reason to get back to KC!

For anyone that hasn’t been to the marble museum there, fly, drive, walk, or crawl to get there...it is well worth the trip (and you can swing by Moon Marble, the best marble shop west of the Mississippi, while you’re there!) 

[Greatmacscott]

Thing "twas the night before Christmas"

 

Twas the night before opening and all through the house,

Every creature was stirring as fast as a mouse,

All the pictures are hung on the wall with great care in hope marble champions soon will be there

On plexi, on wall frames, on a fresh coat of paint

The videos are loaded

Lights are positioned

Check back tomorrow to see the transformation

[Steph]

 

 

Best of luck!

[Greatmacscott]

A couple of general pictures before the opening reception:

 

[BobBlock]

Very nice. I'm looking forward to seeing it in March!

 

[BobBlock]

And nice to see my statue survived the shipping intact

 

[orbboy]

Pretty cool exhibit. Sort of on topic with these. Purchased from the estate of the guy who emptied the Medmenham RAF base in the 70's. They were in the Officers Club for 30+ years.

[Greatmacscott]

One of the video's produced for the tournament exhibit is now available on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9j3-YyBkaI

And local news coverage:

http://www.kctv5.com/clip/13995590/marbles-on-the-big-stage

[Steph]

nicely done 

 

and nice to see you

[Steph]

I'm just getting to the part in the video with  the history of the VFW marble activities ... that's a touching story.  

[Royal3]

Good on ya, Scott! That video on the VFW tournaments is special, particularly the champ’s story.

[b-80]

Scott, you deserve an "Oscar" for producing this video. It is a very important addition to our marble history. Congratulations.

Roy

[Al Oregon]

Great exhibit, video, etc.

[Greatmacscott]

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures deserve lots of credit for supporting and promoting the exhibit and for creating partnerships to support it with the Missouri Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. As well as other collectors and groups in the marble community.