2019 Annual Report
2019 Highlights
The Strong
The Strong is a highly interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play. It houses the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play and is home to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, the National Toy Hall of Fame, the World Video Game Hall of Fame, the Brian Sutton-Smith Library & Archives of Play, the Woodbury School, and the American Journal of Play.
- Welcomed nearly 600,000 guests, including guests from all 50 states and more than 50 countries, such as France, Nigeria, Colombia, and Singapore
- Opened the first two floors of the museum’s 1,000-car parking garage as part of The Strong’s expansion project
- Launched original game to support Powered by Play campaign and the museum’s ongoing expansion project
- Maintained nearly 17,000 member households
- Opened Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit, produced by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (borrowed, February)
- Opened Wild Kratts: Ocean Adventure! produced by the Minnesota Children’s Museum (borrowed, June)
- Opened DC Super Heroes: Discover Your Superpowers, produced by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (borrowed, September)
- Launched Early Home Video Game History: Making Television Play, Margaret Woodbury Strong and the Making of The Strong National Museum of Play and Making Monopoly: A History of the Origins of America’s Favorite Board Game online exhibits created in partnership with Google Cultural Institute
- Opened the Liman Collection of International Tabletop Games Display featuring classic board games from the late 19th century
- Opened a display honoring the history of the Rochester Jeffersons football team
- Opened a display celebrating the work of game designer Scott Adams
- Opened a display of Par jigsaw puzzles donated by Daryl and John Lillie
- Launched new discount program for New York State residents who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Launched the Strong Employment and Life Foundations (SELF) internship program in partnership with Arc of Monroe and Monroe One BOCES
- Hosted the Women in Games annual event featuring female video game trailblazers, including Kiki Wolfkill, Jacinda Chew, Jennifer Oneal, and Jen Taylor
- Renovated the museum’s auditorium and renamed it the Paychex Theater in recognition of Paychex, Inc.’s $250,000 gift towards Powered by Play: A Campaign for The Strong
- Welcomed guests from the American Council of the Blind for guided tours of the museum
- Hosted more than 3,000 adults for the museum’s Happiest Hour events
- Featured on Travel Channel’s Mysteries at the Museum in segments about the Edison Talking Doll
- Posted more than 40 blogs to the museum’s website
Grants of Note
- National Endowment for the Humanities’ Chairman’s Special Award, $700,000 for exhibits in the museum expansion
- National Historical Publications and Records Commission, $69,159 to digitize and provide access to the diaries of game designer, Sid Sackson
- New York State Council on the Arts, $47,000 for general operating support
- The Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Foundation, $500,000 for admission area in The Strong’s expansion
- Killian J. and Caroline F. Schmitt Foundation, $100,000 for video game preservation labs
National Acclaim
- Named “Best Local Family-Friendly Attraction” by City Newspaper readers
- Named a “Top Place to Take Kids in the Rochester Area” by KidsOutandAbout.com
- Named the gold standard for indoor amusement in Rochester by Democrat and Chronicle readers
- Named the top spot to visit in New York by XSmall Market Meetings and Group Travel Leader
- Named one of 21 unique museums where guests can embrace their inner geek by BuzzFeed
- Named a top 11 museum for kids by Families Go magazine
- Named one of “Five Fun Educational Museums for Your Family to Visit” by the Houston Chronicle
Collections
The Strong owns and cares for the world’s most comprehensive collection of toys, dolls, board games, video games, other electronic games, books, documents, and other historical materials related to play. This unprecedented assemblage offers a unique interpretive and educational window into the critical role of play in human physical, social, and intellectual development and the ways in which play reflects cultural history.
Key Acquisitions
Toy, Doll, Game, and Related Collections
- A collection of 200 products by toy designer Marvin Glass
- A collection of nearly 100 toys, games, and prototypes from designer Ralph Baer
- A collection of more than 200 vintage GUND products from Spin Master
Video and Other Electronic Game Collections
- A significant collection from early PC game developers Michael and Muffy Berlyn
- A rare yellow Computer Space, the first commercial arcade video game
- A collection of more than 300 video games from industry veteran Rich Vogel
- A collection of video games and digital files from Polish game company 11 bit studios
- The first Angry Birds plush toy from Camilla Hed-Wilson of Rovio’s board of directors
- A collection of MECC education games from designer Wayne Studer
- A collection of pinball machines from Stern Pinball, including Deadpool and Iron Maiden
Archival Collections Related to Artifacts of Play
- A collection of papers from sculptor and doll designer Erin Libby, part of the Women in Toys (WIT) collection
- A collection of papers from jigsaw puzzle historian and collector Anne D. Williams
- Additional design drawings, photographs, and videos from Bonnie Erickson and Wayde Harrison
Archival Collections Related to the Study of Play
- Records from the Institute for Play, including Quest to Learn curriculum design packs and game design information
- Observational data videos and other documentation from play scholar Doris Bergen
Archival Collections Related to Video and Other Electronic Games
- A collection of game design documentation from Insomniac Games
- Archival material relating to Women in Games from industry trailblazers Carol Kantor and Jane Jensen
- A collection of papers and game prototypes of Mark Lesser, programmer and designer of Mattel Electronic Football
- Donations from pinball veterans Ken Fedesna, Larry DeMar, and Duncan Brown
- A large compilation of fliers, brochures, manuals, catalogs, and related materials amassed by Steve Kordek
- A collection of personal papers that includes handwritten coding notes, circuit schematics, source code print outs, and other materials from software professional David Shepperd
- A collection of professional papers from Mike and Muffy Berlyn, designers of computer adventure games
Education
At The Strong, students and educators alike have fun while learning. All educational experiences provided by the museum are informed by Reggio Emilia, a playful, innovative approach to teaching and learning that emphasizes collaborative exploration and inquiry and the Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
Education and Outreach Highlights
- Welcomed 16 interns from 10 colleges, as well as hosted 15 interns through the museum’s SELF program and three Project LIFE interns
- Delivered school lessons to more than 15,400 Western New York students
- Provided professional development experiences to more than 700 pre- and in-service teachers
- Educated 69 preschool and early kindergarten students through the museum’s Reggio Emilia-inspired Woodbury School
- Hosted a visit from Lella Gandini, the United States Liaison for the Dissemination of the Reggio Emilia Approach
Public Program Highlights
- Presented more than 40 public programs, including Super Heroes Weekend, Fit Kids Day, and In Another Galaxy Weekend
- Hosted more than 11,000 guests for ticketed events, including Museum Mondays for Seniors, Video Game Creation Workshop, College Night, and Women in Games: Create!
- Provided activities for more than 300 Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Cub Scouts
- Welcomed more than 700 guests through the museum’s Sensory-Friendly Sunday programs
- Hosted Global Game Jam NEXT event for the first time
- Launched Teeny Tots Egg Hunt ticketed program for toddlers
- Hosted Change the Game in partnership with Google Play
National Toy Hall of Fame
The National Toy Hall of Fame recognizes toys that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period. In 2019, the prestigious hall welcomed three new toy inductees.
2019 induction
- Honored Matchbox Cars, Magic: The Gathering, and coloring book (November 7)
- Generated national and international media coverage from Today Show, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, and New York Times
- Celebrated National Toy Hall of Fame inductees with special activities at The Strong (November 9 and 10)
- Recognized other toy finalists under consideration for the 2019 induction: Care Bears, Fisher-Price Corn Popper, Jenga, Masters of the Universe, My Little Pony, Nerf Blaster, Risk, smartphone, and top
World Video Game Hall of Fame
The World Video Game Hall of Fame recognizes individual electronic games of all types that have enjoyed popularity over a sustained period and have exerted influence on the video game industry or on popular culture and society in general.
2019 induction
- Honored Colossal Cave Adventure, Microsoft Windows Solitaire, Mortal Kombat, and Super Mario Kart (May 2)
- Generated national and international media coverage, including ABC News, Late Show with Seth Meyers, and USA Today
- Celebrated World Video Game Hall of Fame inductees with special activities at The Strong (May 4 and 5)
- Recognized other video game finalists under consideration for the 2019 induction: Candy Crush Saga, Centipede, Dance Dance Revolution, Half-Life, Myst, NBA 2K, Sid Meier’s Civilization, and Super Smash Bros. Melee
American Journal of Play
The American Journal of Play, The Strong’s peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary publication with a global readership aims to increase awareness and understanding of the role of play in learning and human development. Current and archived issues may be viewed free of charge at journalofplay.org.
Interviews
- From Play to Play Advocacy: An Interview with Olga S. Jarrett
- Reflections on Roughhousing and Living Playfully: An Interview with Anthony T. DeBenedet
- Sesame Street and Learning through Play: An Interview with Rosemarie T. Truglio
Articles
- “Praxis Games: A Design Philosophy for Mobilizing Knowledge through Play” by Steve Wilcox
- “Play it High, Play it Low: Examining the Reliability and Validity of a New Observation Tool to Measure Children’s Make-Believe Play” by Carrie Germeroth, Elena Bodrova, Crystal Day-Hess, Jane Barker, Julie Sarama, Douglas H. Clements, and Carolyn Layzer
- “Playing with Words: Dav Pilkey’s Literary Success in Humorous Language” by Evangeline E. Nwokah, Vanessa Hernandez, Erin Miller, and Ariana Garza
- “Homo Ludens: A Renewed Reading” by Peter McDonald
- “Children’s Play in the Shadow of War” by Daniel Feldman
- “Profiles of Playful Men and Playful Women: Personality and Humor-Related Attributes” by Lynn A. Barnett
- “From Displays and Dioramas to Doll Dramas: Adult World Building and World Playing with Toys” by Katriina Heljakka and J. Tuomas Harviainen
- “Video Games and English as a Second Language: The Effect of Massive Multiplayer Online Video Games on the Willingness to Communicate and Communicative Anxiety of College Students in Puerto Rico” by Kenneth S. Horowitz
- “Playing Every Day on Sesame Street: Global Learnings from a Play-Based Pilot Intervention in India, Mexico, and South Africa” by Kim Foulds and Abby Bucuvalas
- “Making Play Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder: Lessons from Tools of the Mind” by Elena Bodrova and Deborah J. Leong
- “Play in a Digital World: How Interactive Digital Games Shape the Lives of Children” by Rachel M. Flynn, Rebekah A. Richert, and Ellen Wartella
- “Reducing Gender Stereotypes in Toys and Play for Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder Kids” by Erica S. Weisgram
Government Grants and Foundation Support
Government Grants
National Endowment for the Humanities
$700,000 Chairman’s Special Award to implement a major new exhibit gallery devoted to the history and cultural impact of video games
National Historical Publications and Records Commission
$69,159 to digitize and provide access to the diaries of game designer, Sid Sackson
New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature
$47,000 for general operating support
Foundation Support
$100,000+
Kilian J. and Caroline F. Schmitt Foundation
The Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Foundation
Toy Association and Foundation
$50,000–$99,999
Charles J. and Burton S. August Family Foundation
Davenport-Hatch Foundation
$25,000–$49,999
John and Jayne Summers Foundation
Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation
$10,000–$24,999
Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation
Marie C. & Joseph C. Wilson Foundation
William & Sheila Konar Foundation
Zeke and Jane Duda Family Foundation
$2,500–$9,999
Guido and Ellen Palma Foundation
Hallowell Fund
NYSCA/TDF TAP Plus
Ralph and Eleanor Cantisano Family Foundation
Riedman Foundation
Rubens Family Foundation
$500–$2,499
Jane Henson Foundation
Massie Family Fund
Taylor-Brown Family Foundation
Westminster Barrington Foundation
Corporate Supporters
Game Changing Partners and Sponsors
LeChase Construction Services, LLC
Paychex, Inc.
Visionary Partners and Sponsors
CJS Architects
Fidelis Care
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
M & T Bank
Monroe County (COMIDA)
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.
Presenting Partners and Sponsors
DDS Construction, LLC
Nocon & Associates
Executive Partners and Sponsors
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Indus Hospitality Group
Materne North America
Ambassador Partners and Sponsors
Simon Business School
WellNow Urgent Care
Associate Partners and Sponsors
City of Rochester
Entertainment Software Association Foundation
GoFundMe
Interactive Entertainment Law Group (in memory of David Rosenbaum)
Kelley Bros., LLC
LiDestri Food & Beverage
To-Jo Mushrooms, Inc.
Supporting Partners and Sponsors
Abbott’s Frozen Custard, Inc.
Activision
Brown & Brown of New York, Inc.
Fowler Bros. Inc.
M & T Bank
M/E Engineering, P.C.
Perry’s Ice Cream Co., Inc.
Tasteful Connections, Inc.
Community Partners and Sponsors
A.R. Pierrepont Company, Inc.
AAC Contracting, Inc
Action for a Better Community, Inc.
Alsop Louie Partners
Autism Learning Partners
Constellation Brands, Inc.
Diamond Packaging
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
First American Equipment Finance
GHD
Harris Beach PLLC
Kathryn and Eric Triplett Family Fund
Lonza
Manning and Napier Advisors, Inc.
Manning Squires Hennig Co., Inc.
Monroe Piping & Sheet Metal, LLC
Netflix
Pepsi Beverages Company
Power Management Company
R.L. Kistler Inc.
Rochester Clinical Research
Rochester Regional Health
Schindler Elevator Corp.
Stern Pinball
T. Rowe Price (in memory of Maisie Lucienne Gillan)
TD Ameritrade
The Bonadio Group
The Goddard School
The Pike Companies, LTD.
Trane
Tucker Printers
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Wright Beverage Distributing
Contributing Partners
Bill Gray’s Restaurants
Endless Highway
G & J Contracting, Inc
Klein Reinforcing Services, Inc.
Legacy Interactive Inc.
Super City Rochester
The Lodge
U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Individual Donors and Upper Level Members
Individual Donors
Visionary Donors
G. Rollie Adams and Diana G. Adams (Woodbury Society Members)
Thomas R. Argust and Carolyn Argust
Guha Bala
Karthik Bala
Bernard Birnbaum and Lisa Birnbaum
Alan L. Cameros
Elaine Del Monte and John Del Monte
Steve M. Dubnik and Claire Dubnik
Bonnie Erickson and Wayde Harrison
Nan Hildebrandt and A. Thomas Hildebrandt
John Lillie and Daryl Lillie
William L. Mack and Sharon Mack
Aaron C. Newman
Bruce Raiffe and Meryl Raiffe
Cathy Kaman Ryan and Fred G. Aten
Harvey D. Simmons (Woodbury Society Member)
David Swinford and Bonnie Swinford
Matthew Tomaino and Amy Tomaino
Mary C. Valentine
Jeff Valentine and Jennifer Valentine
Presidential Donors
John Anderson and Lisa Anderson
Stuart Bobry and Betsy Bobry
David J. Burns and Margaret M. Burns
James Costanza and Andrea Costanza
Chris Czarnecki and Jill Czarnecki
Ralph Dandrea and Colleen Dandrea
Zeke Duda and Jane Duda
Joan L. Feinbloom
William H. Goodrich and Rhonda Goodrich
Warren H. Heilbronner and Joyce Heilbronner
Wayne LeChase and Beverly LeChase
Nelson Leenhouts
Brian Murray
Jay J. Rachfal and Peg Rachfal
Laura Saxby Lynch and John R. Lynch
Kyle Sayers and Nicole Sayers
Sidney Sobel and Barbara Sobel
Dawn Williams Fuller and Hugh Fuller
Mee F. Wing and Jerry McSpadden
Leading Donors
Jason Arena and Jennifer Arena
Christopher Bensch
John H. Bruning and Barbara H. Bruning
Daniel J. Burns and Denise Burns
Neal Burns
Joyce Crofton
Don Daglow and Marta Daglow
Paul DeCarolis
David DeJoy and Debby DeJoy
Matt Drake and Jamie De la Rosa
Eric M. Dreyfuss
Erika Duthiers and Christopher Simmons
Carla Engelbrecht
Nick Fanandakis and Rory Fanandakis (in memory of Maisie Lucienne Gillan)
Brian Fargo
Stanley Z. Feingold and Reenie Feingold
Lisa M. Feinstein and Dan Dangler
Loren Flaum and Jamie Flaum
Jim Fonzi and Judi Fonzi
Susan Gillan and John R. Gillan
Andre Godfrey and Melinda Godfrey
Cecilia G. Golden
David Grenewetzki and Vicki S. Grenewetzki
Anthony L. Gugino and Earlene Siebold
Arthur M. Hengerer
Martin Jarzebowski and Mahta Mortezavi
Tom Kalinske
Dave M. Long and Kelly E. Long
Tim Maher
Peggy Martin
James Maurer and Nona Maurer
Linda McGinley
Gail McGreevy Harmon
Reena Mehta and Dashiell Flynn
Joe Minton
Carole Postal
Fran Pullano
Stanley Purdie
Trudy Quartley and Jeff Quartley
William D. Rice and Mary Ann Monley
Susan & Nathan Robfogel
Hilda Rosario Escher
Lewis Rothberg and Shelby Nelson
Joy Ryen Plotnik and Ronald Plotnik
Ajay Sabherwal and Aparna Sabherwal
Stephen Schultz and Vicki Schultz
Fred W. Smith and Jo Anne Smith (Woodbury Society Members)
Matt Squires
Larry Steinwachs and Mary Louise Steinwachs
Christian Svensson
Judy von Bucher and Erik P. von Bucher
Irene Weinberg
Jordan Weisman
Anne D. Williams
Tyler Wolk and Alicia Wolk
Philip Yawman and Cheryl Yawman
Iris Zimmermann and Kevin Nowack
Sustaining Donors
Craig Beideman and Jenn Beideman
Richard A. Bloom
Hillary Bobys and Paul Audi
Joe A. Boyd and Rebecca Boyd
Ashley Cheng
Donna Curran and Craig Curran
Alexander Del Monte and Claire Del Monte
Brendan Dolan
Mackenzie Dubay and Gannon Dubay
Pamela Fletcher (in memory of Ruth Marion Schuyler)
Kelly Gagan and Dennis Gagan
Adam Gillan and Marybeth Gillan (in memory of Maisie Lucienne Gillan)
Laurie Haelen and Mary McCrank
Christopher Harris and Christine Ferris
Sanjay Hiranandani and Allyson Hiranandani
Kathleen B. Holt and Andrew D. Holt
Samantha Jones and Alex Jones
Sidney Marshall and Toni Marshall
Laura Masterson and Sarah Masterson
Deborah McCoy and Lance Beyer
Ronald C. Mead
Joseph D. Morelle and Mary Beth Morelle
Andrew Mui
William J. O’Connor
Brendan O’Hara and Jen O’Hara
Victor A. Oshinyemi
Robert Pease and Nicole Pease
Laurie Phelps
Jake Pierson and Kerry Pierson
Sara Poe and Mark Poe
Christine Randise and Jerry Randise
Shane Rhinewald
Michael Richtmeyer
James Scheirer and Katie Scheirer
Clinton Sugnet
Georgiana T. Thoman and John W. Thoman
Victoria Van Voorhis
Jim Watters and Therese Hannigan
Kate Whitman and Patrick Whitman
Benefactor Donors
David Ahl and Betsy Ahl
Jocelyn Basley
Joseph C. Briggs and Nancy Briggs
Adam Brunner and Nicole Brunner
Michael J. Cicero and Stephanie Cicero
Tim Crimmins and Lori Crimmins
JonPaul Dyson and Ursula Dyson
Eugene Evans
Nancy Gardner
Mary Gleason and Michael Patric
Kristen Hans and Anthony Hans
Christine Hartlieb and Tony Murray
Jeffrey Ingraham and Kate Ingraham
Jerusha Ladi Iya
Joshua Jacobs and Patrick O’Neill
Walter Johnson and Stephanie Heller
Allison McGrath
Bruce McLear and Eleanor McLear
Hannalore Merritt and Zach Merritt
Charles Murphy
Cheryl Nichols
Steve Nix
James H. Norman and Lois Norman
Amy Olds and Brian Olds
Steve Pasierb and Wendy Pasierb
Cassandra Peltzer and John Lewis
Kimberly Perttu (in memory of Frank J. DiCesare)
John Pupo
Jah Raphael
Jeremy Saucier and Tara Saucier
Meghan Schottland and Matt Harding
Carol Schultz
Alissa Seidman
Andrew J. Setter and Heather Biehler
Joseph Stefko and Julie Stefko
Barry L. Steinberg
Mike Streb and Erin Streb
Ted Strohmeyer and Mary Ann Strohmeyer
Athena Thomas-Visel and Paul Thomas
Ed Tommasi and Kristin Tommasi
Mike Trabold
John Weisberg and Dinah Weisberg
Catharine J. Wise
Contributing Donors
Eric Abate and Emily Abate
Peter Alau
Matt Alchin and Maria Squillini
Barbara Bailey
Keenan Barry and Erin Budd Barry
Cameron Bechtold and Lindsay Bechtold
Greg Bertino
John Bowley and Nancy Bowley
Cheryl Breitenbuecher
George G. Browning
Collene M. Burns and McLean Bulmer
Malcolm Campbell
Elizabeth Cannon
Jessica L. Chambry
Dan Connors
William Dalton and Kathleen Sisson
Kim Della Porta and Mike Della Porta
Samuel Dubay
Gilchrist Durfee and Ashley Durfee
Ellery Durnion and Jeremy Durnion
Stephen Dyson and Pauline Dyson
Carl Fantauzzo
Kylee Fassler and Greg Fassler
Will Foster
Teresa Froncek
Missy Fuino
Lella Gandini and Lester Little
Winston E. Gaum and Helen Gaum
Myranda Gillow and Catherine Gillow
Christopher Goerss
Tracey Gonzalez and Ronald Gonzalez
Janine Gordon
Jennifer Gruenberg
Monica Guilian
Gary Hale and Sharon Hale
Matt Handy
Suzanne Hansen
Brian Henzel and Ambre Henzel
Claudette Hercules and Courtney Campbell Cooper
Judith W. Kaplan and Stuart L. Kaplan
Michael Katz
Christopher Keffer and Rebecca Graf
Robert Kotin
Christian Krapf and Christina Krapf
David A. Krotz
Renee Lacek and Jon Michael Lacek
Jay Laird and Jenny Laird
Alfred Laitenberger and Kathleen Laitenberger
Jeff LaLonde
Brenda Laurel
Anthony LeBlanc
Anthony J. Leone and Norma Leone
Helena Leroux (in memory of Maisie Lucienne Gillan)
David Lionett and April Lionett (in memory of Darwin Bromley)
Heidi Loomis
Brian Martin (in memory of Darwin Bromley)
Gretchen McGrath
Ethan McKenney and Laura McKenney
Brette McSweeney (in honor of Ruth Bernstein)
Terence C. Milne
David Mirsky
Mary A. Missall
Deanne Molinari
Sajod Moradi (in memory of Maisie Lucienne Gillan)
Gary Muisus and Karen Muisus
Kirsten Nagel and Gabe Siftar
Megan O’Donnell
Kevin O’Hanlon
Diane H. Olin
Beth Orlowski and Gregory Wood
Alex Philippone and Mary Philippone
Sonja C. Poe
Joshua Pryor and Sherry Pryor
Kimberly Rosdahl and Kevin Rosdahl
Kristen Schneider (in memory of Elizabeth Ann Beyth)
Joe Seymour
Patti A. Sheldon (in memory of Lynn Reynolds)
Jennine Sheldon and Cory Sheldon
Matt Shores (in honor of Don Daglow)
Ann Silva
Adam Smith
Robert L. Snyder and Norma M. Snyder
Anthony Spada and Nancy Spada
Allen Stiles
Michael Sullivan and Gail Sullivan
Rob Thornburg and Loralei Thornburg
Jane Throckmorton
Sue Todd and Mark Todd
William J. Tribelhorn
Malinda C. Trovato
Rick Tucker
Kurt Van Bramer and Toni Lynn Van Bramer
Mike Walker and Melissa Walker
Brian Weaver and Colleen Weaver
Tim Webber and Colleen Webber
Nancy Weinmann
Nicholas Widzowski
Elaine Wordelmann (in memory of Darwin Bromley)
Upper Level Members
Leading
Fred G. Aten and Cathy Kaman Ryan
Dennis S. Buchan and Mary B. Buchan
Leslie DesMarteau and George DesMarteau
Dr. Eric M. Dreyfuss
Patrick Fulford and Barbara Fulford
Christine Klos and Donald White
Dr. Amanda Martin and Dr. Algernon Kelley
Linda McGinley
Patrick Purcell and Nicole Purcell
Harvey D. Simmons
Mark Wilson and Karen Wilson
Sustaining
Michael Bargmann and Susan Bargmann
Dr. Richard A. Bloom
Dr. Thomas Caprio and Ann Caprio
Katherine Cove and Michael Madden
Matt Drake and Jamie De la Rosa
G. Edward Duckett, Jr. and Katherine Duckett
Roland DeLardge and Kimberly DeLardge
Alan Deuel and Erin Deuel
Jean Ellefson and Charles Gardiner
Mathew Empie and Maureen Empie
Margaret M. Freeman and Thomas Lennox
Joshua Glasser and Lisa Glasser
Christopher Harris and Christine Ferris
Warren H. Heilbronner and Joyce Heilbronner
Walter B. D. Hickey
Ryan Hughes and Audra Webber
Roberta Johnson and O. Silver
Drew Krause and Rachel Krause
Edward Messing and Susan Messing
Dr. Vivian A. Palladoro
Michael Pinch and Karina Pinch
Jay J. Rachfal and Peg Rachfal
Tab Whang and Josephine Whang
James Widmaier and Laurie Widmaier
Melanie Wolk and Jeremy J. Wolk
Benefactor
Thomas R. Argust and Carolyn Argust
Elizabeth Anderson
Keenan Barry and Erin Budd Barry
Heather Biehler and Andrew J. Setter
Amy Castle
David Culeton and Cathy Tong
Susan Eisinger and Steven Eisinger
Marjorie Elder and Steve Elder
Steven Erickson and Mary Erickson
John Gibson and Sarah Gibson
Deborah G. Goldman
Sandra C. Goldman and David Goldman
Catherine Goodfellow and Alan Goodfellow
Rickie Lee Herrmann and Cassondra Lee
Kim Kashorek and Josh Kashorek
Ernest Krug and Sarah Krug
Kathleen Landon and Robert Landon
Brandon Lewis and Anna Marie Lewis
William J. Mackey and Joan Mackey
Sidney Marshall and Toni Marshall
Matthew Miller and Christa Miller
John Palomaki and Lois Palomaki
Cassandra Peltzer and John Lewis
David Perlman and Marjorie Perlman
Nathan J. Robfogel and Susan Robfogel
Gary Sedore and Carrie Datro
Sidney Sobel and Barbara Sobel
Clinton Sugnet
Marissa Terry and Michael Sobolewski
William J. Tribelhorn
Eric Wallen and Monica Wallen
Sylvia A. Watkins
Jefferson Webster and Sheelarani Webster
Ron Wexler and Rachel Rosen
Henry W. Williams and Edie Williams Linares
In-Kind Gifts and Services
AAA Western and Central New York
John Adams
Aerial Arts of Rochester
Albright-Knox Art Gallery
Alexander Eye Associates
Arc & Flame Center
Bernie’s Bouncers
Bill Gray’s Restaurants
Bernard and Lisa Birnbaum
Black & Blue Steak and Crab
Black Button Distilling
BOA Editions, Ltd.
Bogarts Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles
BreakThrough Entertainment
Breathe Yoga Studio
Brothers International Food Corporation
Buffalo Bills, Inc.
Buffalo Bison
Buffalo Museum of Science
Buffalo Games
Buffalo Zoo
Central Rock Gym
Cheesy Eddie’s
Gabe Chodak
Michael and Stephanie Cicero
Compass Cycle & Flow
Corning Museum of Glass
James and Andrea Costanza
David Cowles
Crayola Experience
Cure Bar and Restaurant
Dan Dangler Photography
Debra Wallace Photography
Paul DeCarolis
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Delta Sonic
Destiny USA
Downstairs Cabaret Theatre
DripHouse
Steve and Claire Dubnik
Zeke and Jane Duda
Jon-Paul Dyson
Bonnie Erickson and Wayde Harrison
Ethan Allen
Everson Museum of Art
Eye Openers Optical Fashions
F.L.X. Table
Facehead Digital
Lisa M. Feinstein
David and Ilene Flaum
Meredith Gager
Garden Factory
Genesee Country Village & Museum
Get Caked
Geva Theatre Center
Google, Inc.
Greater Rochester International Airport
Andrew Grossman
Laughing Gull
Haba USA
Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester/Henrietta
Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester/Victor
Hampton Inn Rochester/Penfield
Hape International Inc
Christopher Harris and Christine Ferris
Harris Seeds
Hedonist Artisan Chocolates
High Peaks Resort
A. Thomas and Nan Hildebrandt
Holiday Inn Niagara Falls
Amelia Holmquist
Hyatt Place East End
Hyatt Regency Rochester
Iello USA, LLC
IGDA
Inn on Broadway
Iron Smoke Distillery
Jerusha Ladi Iya
Henry and Amanda Jacobson
Jembetat Gallery & Cafe
Jewish Community Center
Keith Johnson
Alex Jones
Karen Brown Gold Fine Jewelry
Kittelberger Florist and Gifts
Lasertron
LiDestri Food & Beverage
Lollypop Farm
Loungefly
Lululemon
Lumos Infrared Sauna
M/Body
Mack Trucks
Maid of the Mist
Mars Candy
Peggy Martin
Max Rochester
Joseph Mayernik
Deborah McCoy
Midtown Athletic Club
Millennium Games
Sarah and Jordan Morgenstern
Peggyann Munnick
National Football League
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Naval and Military Park
Nazareth College Arts Center
Neon Wave
Aaron C. Newman
Niagara Jet Adventures
Orvis
Painting with a Twist
Sara and Mark Poe
Mike Power
Project Lean Nation
Radisson Hotel Rochester Airport
RELAX The Spa
Andrea Reynolds
Donald and Reva Riley
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
RIT Inn & Conference Center
Rivoli and Rivoli Orthodontics
Rochester Americans Hockey Club
Rochester Brainery
Rochester Broadway Theatre League
Rochester City Ballet
Rochester Community Baseball, Inc.
Rochester Fencing Club
Rochester Museum & Science Center
Rockwell Museum of Western Art
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
Adam Rooney
Salon Bello
Laura Saxby Lynch and John Lynch
Schylling Inc.
Seabreeze Amusement Park
Seneca Park Zoo Society
Sesame Workshop
Shea’s Performing Arts Center
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Skybound Entertainment
Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park
Spoke Cycle and Fitness
Starbucks (Victor)
Stephanie Styling
Stokoe Farm
Swiftwater Brewing Company
Tangle Creations
Tantalo Photography
Target (Webster)
Mike Teddy
The Gem Lab
The Kid’s Room Salon
The Men’s Room Salon
The MOST
The Rabbit Room
The Reef Shoppe
The Wellington Hotel
The Wild Center
ThinkFun
Thomas Austen Salon
Three Brothers Wineries and Estates
Tompkins Financial Advisors
Toy Association and Foundation
Tuttle Publishing
Under Canvas
Urban Lumberjax
USAopoly
Jeff and Jeinnfer Valentine
Mary C. Valentine
Vega Plastic Surgery & Medspa
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.
Dinah and John Weisberg
Wickham Farms
Wilmorite Management Group
Mee F. Wing and Jerry McSpadden
Woodcliff Hotel & Spa
Writers & Books
WXXI
Iris Zimmermann and Kevin Nowack
2019 Play Ball Fundraising Gala
All Star
Toy Association
Valentine, Mary
Wegmans
Game Changer
Del Monte Hotel Group
LeChase Construction
Monroe County, COMIDA, Imagine Monroe
Power Player
Delta Air Lines
Good Luck
Konar Management
Partners + Napier
Play Maker
AAA of Western & Central NY
Birnbaum Companies
Bolton St. John
Canfield & Tack
CJS
Conifer Realty
ESL Charitable Foundation
Harter Secrest & Emery
M/E Engineering
USI (Key Bank Insurance)
Visit Rochester
Game Player
Bonadio Group
Brinkman International
Brown & Brown of New York, Inc.
Buckingham Properities
Constellation Brands
Entertainment Software Association
Federated Investors
Harris Beach/HB Cornerstone
The Lake House on Canandaigua
M&T Bank
Nolans Rental, Inc
Nazareth College
Paychex
Rochester Institute of Technology
Trane
Team Player
American Packaging Corp.
Bill Gray’s Restaurants
BlocWatch
Brandtatorship
Brighton Securities
CloudCheckr Inc.
Costanza Enterprises
Cottone Auctions
Datto, Inc.
EFPR Group
eLogic
Esther Krakower
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Facehead Digital
First American Equipment Finance
Flaum Management
Henderson-Johnson
IDI Billing Solutions
Indus Hospitality Group
LaBella Associates
Manning & Napier Advisors
Mark IV Construction
Messner Flooring
Phillips Lytle LLP
The Pike Companies
Popli Design Group
Prime, Buchholz & Associates, Inc.
QCI Asset Management
Ramar Steel
Sage Rutty
Schuler-Haas Electric
Schultz Auctioneers
TD Ameritrade
Technical Systems Group
Tompkins Financial
Vardata
Yoga at the Wegmans Organic Farm
Louis S. & Molly B. Worl Foundation
Collections Donors
11 Bit Studios
Ronald Abrams
John Adams
Douglas and Andrea Adema
Peter Alau
Arcade1Up
Mark Baer
Fred Becker
Sarah Belle
Corey Benkelmann
Ilicia Benoit
Doris Bergen
Mike and Muffy Berlyn
Larry Bieza
Sara Blaha
Andrew Borman
Cheryl Bower
Catilyn Brandt
Duncan Brown
Jennifer Byrnes
Scott Case
Juan Chapa
Richard Christopher
Linda and Stu Churchill
Anne Clark
Jessica Cohen
Christy Cook
Martha Cooper
Thaddeus Cooper
Charles Courtsal
Larry Crawford
John Crocker
Glen Cubitt
Nicole Cutler
Dean Darnell
Laurie Daugherty
Warren Davis
Paul DeCarolis
Larry DeMar
Miles Denmark
Steve Desroches
Joy DeVries
Colleen Donlin-Smith
Marilyn Doyle
Steve Dubnik
Caroline DuBois
Scott Eberle
Bonnie Erickson
Janice Esse
Ken Fedesna
Deborah Field
John Fiorito
William Foster
Freeman Public Relations
Midge Fryer
Ken Gagné
Lella Gandini
George
Donna Giguere
Daniel Gorman
Victoria Gray
Andrew Grossman
Michael Grossman
Susan Hale
Jerold Hamza
Christopher Harris
Christopher Harrs
Janis Hartman
Katriina Heljakka
Marnie Herzfeld
Jane Heuring
William Higinbotham
Matthew Hill
Patricia Hogan
David Howe
Marcy Humnicky
USAopoly,Inc.
Roberta Jacobson
Jane Jensen
Just Play
Tom Kalinske
Carol Kantor
Stephen Keating
Debra Kempker
Henry Kropf
Benjamin Kuchera
Anne Lafortune
Kevin Lanagan
Elizabeth LaPensée
Brenda Laurel
Wendy Lavitt
Paul Lawler
Donna Lessard, Darryl Kelley, Megan Russo
Mark Lesser
Anne Lewis
Erin Libby
LittleBits
Richard Lum
Doc Mack
Tom Mack
Ben Majchrzak
Paul Marzagalli
Barbara Match
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. Warehouse
Amanda Moldavon
Brian McCarty
Thomas McIlhenney
Marco Micheletti
Paula Michtom
Andrew Molloy
Dawn Murphy
Matthew Nathan
Nicole O’Kane
Karen Osburn
Michelle Parnett-Dwyer
Bill Paxton
Katharine Perkins
David Peterson
Jon Podeszek
Judith Prevratil
Paul Pruett
Kathryn Pynn
Phyllis Rabineau
Mike Rae
Ravensburger
Marcia Reece
Paul Reiche
Carolyn Reno
Learning Resources
Bonnie Rice
Matt Rogers
Tracy Romano
David Rosenthal
Patricia Rudy-Baese
Derek Rumpler
Ryan Russell
Ronald Sansone
Jeremy Saucier
Kevin Savetz
Brenda Schlageter
Deanna Shoffitt
Fred Shroyer
Jeffrey Simons
Arnold Smeenk
Jonathan So
Spin Master Toys
Lynne Stager
Jamey Stegmaier
Richie Sternfeld
Studer Wayne
Teeturtle
Katie Tekinbaş
William Thompson
Moose Toys
Cynthia Van Ness
Victury Sports
Rich Vogel
Thomas Walsh
William Ward
Lori Waters
Guy Welch
Lewis West
Anne Williams
Camilla Hed-Wilson and Matthew Wilson
Tara Winner-Swete
Brian Wiser
WowWee
Dixie Zappala
Zuru
American Journal of Play Advisory Board
Doris Bergen
Department of Educational Psychology
Miami University (Emerita)
Ian Bogost
School of Literature, Media, and Communication
Georgia Institute of Technology
Simon J. Bronner
American Studies Program
Pennsylvania State University–Harrisburg (Emeritus)
Gordon M. Burghardt
Department of Psychology
and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Tennessee
Garry Chick
Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Pennsylvania State University (Emeritus)
Howard Chudacoff
Department of History
Brown University
Rhonda Clements
School of Education
Manhattanville College
Gary Cross
Department of History
Pennsylvania State University
David Elkind
Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development
Tufts University (Emeritus)
Mary Flanagan
Film and Media Studies
Dartmouth College
Miriam Forman-Brunell
Department of History
University of Missouri–Kansas City
Doris Pronin Fromberg
Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership
Hofstra University (Emerita)
Joe L. Frost
Child Development
University of Texas at Austin (Emeritus)
Kyra D. Gaunt
Department of Music and Theater
University of Albany
Peter Gray
Department of Psychology
Boston College
Thomas S. Henricks
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Elon University (Emeritus)
Linda E. Homeyer
College of Education
Texas State University–San Marcos
Joan P. Isenberg
Graduate School of Education
George Mason University (Emerita)
Olga S. Jarrett
College of Education
Georgia State University (Emerita)
Jesper Juul
The School of Desgin
Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts
Terry Marks-Tarlow
Private Practice, Santa Monica, California
Insight Center, Los Angeles
Amy Ogata
Department of Art History
University of Southern California
Anthony Pellegrini
Department of Educational Psychology
University of Minnesota (Emeritus)
Sergio Pellis
Department of Neuroscience
University of Lethbridge
Charles E. Schaefer
School of Psychology
Fairleigh Dickinson University (Emeritus)
Allan Schore
Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences
University of California at Los Angeles
David Geffen School of Medicine
Jerome L. Singer
Department of Psychology
Yale University (Emeritus)
Marjorie Taylor
Psychology Department
University of Oregon (Emerita)
T.L. Taylor
Comparative Media Studies/Writing
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
National Toy Hall of Fame Selection Committee
Michael Berenstain
Author and Illustrator
Stuart L. Brown, MD
President
National Institute for Play
Mary Couzin
Executive Director
Chicago Toy and Game Group
Gary S. Cross, PhD
Distinguished Professor, Modern History
Pennsylvania State University
Tony Elam
Game Collector
Director of Strategic Initiatives, University of Kentucky
Principal, Elam Consulting
Judith Ellis
Chairperson, Toy Design Department
Fashion Institute of Technology
Richard Gottlieb
Richard Gottlieb’s USA Toy Experts
Claire S. Green
President
Parents’ Choice Foundation
Cheryl Henson
President
The Jim Henson Foundation
Clark T. King
Game and Toy Collector
Eugene Metcalf, Jr., PhD
Professor Emeritus, American Studies
Miami University
Anthony Pellegrini, PhD
Department of Educational Psychology
University of Minnesota (Emeritus)
Gerard J. Puccio, PhD
Chairperson and Professor
International Center for Studies in Creativity
Buffalo State
Amy Rosenfeld
Senior Coordinating Producer
ESPN
Deborah Ryan
Chairperson, Toy Design Department
Otis College of Art and Design
Dorothy Justus Sluss, PhD
Professor, College of Education
Director, Elementary Education MAT Program
James Madison University
Edwin J.C. Sobey, PhD
Northwest Invention Center
Timothy M. Stearns, PhD
Coleman Foundation Chair in Entrepreneurial Studies
Director, Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
California State University, Fresno
Marianne M. Szymanski
President
Toy Tips, Inc.
Marjorie Taylor, PhD
Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology
University of Oregon
Tim Walsh
Fearless Leader
The Playmakers
Bruce Whitehill
Games Historian
Anne D. Williams
Professor Emerita
Bates College
Arthur Yorinks
Writer and Director
World Video Game Hall of Fame Selection Committee
Jean-Michel Blottiére
Program Chair Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg GmbH
(France/Germany)
Ian Bogost, PhD.
Professor, School of Literature, Media and Communications
Georgia Tech (United States)
James Brightman
Editor in Chief GamesIndustry.biz | Gamer Network (United States)
Mia Consalvo
Canada Research Chair, Games Studies and Design Concordia University (Canada)
Tristan Donovan
Author, Replay: The History of Video Games (United Kingdom)
Clara Fernández-Vara
Associate Arts Professor New York University Game Center (United States)
Christopher Grant
Editor in Chief Polygon (United States)
Raiford Guins
Associate Professor of Culture and Technology Stony Brook University (United States)
Nina B. Huntemann, PhD
Director of Research and Academics
edX
(United States)
Stephen Jacobs
Professor, B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences
Rochester Institute of Technology (United States)
Darran Jones
Editor Retro Gamer Magazine (United Kingdom)
Jesper Juul
Associate Professor Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (Denmark)
Mike Kennedy
President RETRO Videogame Magazine (United States)
Carly A. Kocurek
Assistant Professor of Digital Humanities and Media Studies
Illinois Institute of Technology (United States)
Chris Kohler
Editor and Writer (United States)
Andreas Lange
Director Computerspielemuseum (Germany)
Elizabeth LaPensée
Game Designer and Writer (United States)
Henry Lowood
Curator, History of Science and Technology Collections; Film and Media Collections
Stanford University (United States)
Andy McNamara
Editor in Chief Game Informer (United States)
Aki Nakamura
Professor Ritsumeikan University (Japan)
James Newman
Professor Bath Spa University (United Kingdom)
Won Yong Park
Advisor Nexon Computer Museum (South Korea)
Latoya Peterson
Writer and Digital Strategist (United States)
Kiyoshi Shin
Associate Professor Digital Hollywood University (Japan)
Melanie Swalwell
Associate Professor ARC Future Fellow Flinders University (Australia)
Dean Takahashi
Lead Writer for GamesBeat Venturebeat (United States)