Press Releases

ROCHESTER, NY—Calling all gamers! Join The Strong and Rochester Institute of Technology for Gaming for All: a WIG Celebration of Diversity in Gaming from 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, November 11. This special evening of big-kid fun celebrates the untold contributions of diverse game-makers and includes access to the full museum. Tickets for the event are $15 and attendees will be asked to show proof of vaccination (card of Excelsior pass) or a negative PCR-type test taken no more […]

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November 8, 2021

*DOWNLOADABLE IMAGES AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS RELEASE*
November 4, 2021
For Immediate Release
ROCHESTER, New York—It’s official! The educational American Girl Dolls, game-changing board game Risk, and universal plaything sand have been inducted today into the National Toy Hall of Fame. The honorees, unveiled during a special ceremony at The Strong National Museum of Play, were chosen from a field of 12 finalists that also included Battleship, billiards, Cabbage Patch Kids, Fisher-Price Corn Popper, Mahjong, Masters of the Universe, piñata, the Settlers […]

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November 4, 2021

From holiday performances to cultural celebrations to science-fiction fun, there’s something for everyone at The Strong National Museum of Play this November:
Nutcracker and Christmas Carol PreviewsNovember 1111 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Enjoy a magical day at Strong filled with storytelling and dance taken from The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet. This special Veteran’s Day program is presented in conjunction with the Rochester City Ballet and features professional dancers. The Nutcracker runs from November 24­ to 28 at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theater, and from December 10 to […]

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November 1, 2021

ROCHESTER, NY—Rochester’s most playful fundraising gala is back in-person! Join Honorary Co-Chairs Kyle and Nicole Sayers for an evening of fun and festivities highlighting the power of play at The Strong’s Play Ball on Friday, October 22, from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Funds raised from Play Ball support the museum’s outreach and play-based educational mission. (Play Ball attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR-type COVID test no more than 72 hours in advance. Masking […]

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October 20, 2021

The Strong Partners with WeGo Foundationto Allow Hospitalized ChildrenRobotic Access to the Museum
Golisano Children’s Hospital toBecome First Hospital in Region to Join the Network
ROCHESTER, NY—The Strong National Museum of Play has partnered with the WeGo Foundation to benefit sick children in hospitals across the nation. Children can now explore The Strong with a kid-friendly, fully controllable robot that allows them to see, hear, interact, and communicate with other guests—all from their hospital room. The Golisano Children’s Hospital will also become […]

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October 19, 2021

ROCHESTER, NY—Have you ever wondered how some of your favorite board games were developed? Game enthusiasts and researchers alike can now dive into the creative processes and thinking of legendary game designer Sid Sackson through a new online portal from The Strong National Museum of Play that showcases his diaries, correspondence, notes, game descriptions, and publications. 
“Sid Sackson is probably best known for the board game Acquire, but he created close to 500 games during his prolific career,” says Archivist Julia […]

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October 11, 2021

Celebrate the 2021 National Toy Hall of Fame inductees and past inductees at The Strong on Saturday, November 6, and Sunday, November 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
On Saturday only, enjoy performances of “Playful Music” by local music ensemble fivebyfive. Enjoy a general performance at noon and a special, sensory friendly performance at 1 p.m. in the Paychex Theater. All of the original music was inspired by the toys in the National Toy Hall of Fame.
All weekend long, […]

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October 8, 2021

ROCHESTER, NY—Are you ready for the challenge? The Strong is climbing into the realm of adventure play and building an all-new high ropes course—Skyline Climb—slated to open November 26, 2021. Suspended above the museum’s Elaine Wilson Carousel and Bill Gray’s at the Skyliner Diner, adults and kids alike can traverse beams and balance obstacles, maneuver ropes and wobbly bridges, and leap off a zipline platform.
“Skyline Climb allows the museum to explore the importance of physical play,” says Mike Streb, director […]

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October 7, 2021

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September 30, 2021

The following 12 toys are finalists for 2021 induction into The Strong’s National Toy Hall of Fame. Only three will take their honored places in the hall this year when they are announced by The Strong on Thursday, November 4, at 10:30 a.m.
American Girl Dolls
Created in 1986 by educator and newscaster Pleasant Rowland, the 18-inch American Girl dolls (and their accompanying books) explore America’s social and cultural history. Each doll comes with a unique narrative that fits her era, such as Molly McIntire, […]

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September 29, 2021