Dolls, Play, a Children's Museum, and Age Discrimination, Oh My!

This week, I was privileged on the 47th anniversary of Watergate, to visit the Iowa Children's Museum, something I had wanted to do since it opened.  I never had enough time before, or it was closed, or just never get to take that many trips anymore.

The building is within Coralville Mall, across from a public ice skating rink.  It is open M to S, but closed Mondays when school is in session.  I thought I was in luck, because school is out.

The museum is located near one of my alma maters, The University of Iowa.  Several members of my family attended The University.  I have many fond memories, and a few sad, bittersweet ones.  Ah, sweet mystery of life.

Like many children's museums, this one is centered on interactive play that leads to learning.  City Works includes a pizza restaurant, theater, grocery store, hospital, art & design studio, post office, music hall, and bank, "City Money."  All is done to child scale, with accessories like play food, and cans on the walls of the store.  Children and parents can play there together.  The preschool gallery is called InaginAcres, and includes a pretend play farmhouse, garden, an family sanctuary.  There is a Lego room, where kids can build, a Notion of Motion gallery that plays with gravity, Take Flight, with a paper airplane flight cage, space exhibits, wind tunnel, and much more.

The Court of Curiosities is a gallery with walls covered in shadow boxes with items representing a letter in the alphabet.  Yes, there was a case of modern 90s porcelain dolls for D, and two traditional puppets of India for P.  There were also collections of coins and foreign money.

A mechanical cow, one of two, stands before a scaled down barn. Kids can milk her, and she moos.

All great.  All miniaturized, bringing to mind Simon Garfield's new book on how miniatures illuminate the larger world.  All beautiful,  Just one problem.

When I got there, I saw admission posted for toddlers up to 59 and older.  I was not with a child; I would have to show a photo ID. Fine with me.  I've been to children's museums in Bettendorf, Indianapolis, and elsewhere.  Never had a problem touring or shopping in the gift shop.

The young man at the desk was not going to let me in because I didn't have a child with me.  That's a little sinister. My legal education and its muses are screaming at me by this point.  All a predator had to do to get in is rent a kid. The opposite, I suspect, of what they wanted.

"But it doesn't say that, anywhere", said I.

Oh well, I had the kid up front stumped.  Besides, it's a public place, and that's age discrimination.  I look a lot like Aunt Bee, anyway, hardly threatening.  I know, I know, don't all start lecturing me.  I know criminals come in every shape, size, and appearance, but really?

To make a long story short, a nice young girl gave me a tour, admission free.  I offered to pay admission, but they wouldn't hear of it.  Kind of them.  I also told them I was a nonprofit doll and toy museum, and that I was there for research purposes.

I was allowed to shop in the gift shop. I found mini puppies at .75 for doll houses, emoji dolls the size of Uneeda PeeWees, same price.  I found a doll I had not heard of, and bought her and her outfit.She is called Lottie, and is about 8 inches.  She has friends, and coloring sheets were provided.  I bought Blue Velvet, with a silver sparlkly sweater, shoes, and socks.  The dress is blue velvet.  She has brown hair, and comes in a white silk dress.  The dolls are "inspired by real children", but have big, Manga style moppet eyes.  Pictures to follow.

Hmph.  We can take things to extremes, even to violating the law.