The Town of Iron Toys: The Mechanical Banks of the J. & E. Stevens Company

RSVP HERE

In 1869, the J.  & E.  Stevens  Company of Cromwell Connecticut began making iron banks  that performed an  action when  coins  were deposited  into them. Mechanical   banks    quickly   became  popular with both  children and  adults throughout America and beyond.    Today,  mechanical  toy banks   are  highly collectable and  sell for thousands of dollars at auction.  Join Richard Franklin Donohue,  Historian  for   the  Town   of  Cromwell,    as  he  demonstrates  his collection of   mechanical banks  and  explains their  history and  the  amusing tales  that  inspired their  design.   Witness  Boss Tweed  take  kickbacks, one coin at a time. See William  Tell shoot  an apple  from  the top of his son’s head with a penny!  Watch a  gentlemanly game  of 1880s  Baseball  from  the  third base  line and help  to feed a  menagerie of animals, from frogs to bulldogs. This presentation involves a power-point slide show  and an interactive demonstration of twenty banks.

No charge. 18+

RSVP: At the library, bristollib.com or 860.584.7787 x 3.