The Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum in Cheshire, Connecticut takes you on a nostalgic journey through American childhood. This unique museum houses nearly 80,000 items collected over 40 years by Gloria and Herbert Barker. From Mickey Mouse to Superman, the collection includes beloved characters that bring joy to kids and adults alike.
Visiting this charming museum gives you access to one of the most complete displays of cartoon memorabilia in the country, with decades of toys, advertisements, figurines, and more all in one place. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., admission is affordable at just $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 4-17, making it a perfect stop for families exploring Connecticut’s hidden gems.
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Barker Character Comic and Cartoon Museum
The Barker Character Comic and Cartoon Museum is a hidden gem in Cheshire, Connecticut. It houses an amazing collection of character toys, comics, and cartoon memorabilia that will take you on a nostalgic journey through American pop culture.
When you visit, you’ll discover unique collections including California Raisins and Celebriducks figurines. The museum showcases the passion of its founders who carefully curated these charming artifacts over many years.
Located in Building B on Highland Avenue, this toy museum offers a fun experience for visitors of all ages. You can explore the main exhibits and even pick up some character-themed merchandise to remember your visit.
The museum makes for a perfect family outing or a trip down memory lane for cartoon enthusiasts. With regular hours and group tour options available, you can plan your visit to best enjoy this celebration of beloved characters from entertainment history.
Rating: 4.8 (198 reviews)
Location: 1188 Highland Ave building b, Cheshire, CT 06410
Contact: (203) 272-2357
Website: Visit Website
History of Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum
The Barker Museum represents over four decades of passionate collecting, housing one of America’s most significant toy and pop culture collections. The founders transformed their personal hobby into a beloved public institution that now showcases the evolution of American childhood.
Founding and Vision
The Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum began as the personal collection of Gloria and Herbert Barker. In the 1960s, when few people recognized the value of vintage toys and cartoon memorabilia, the Barkers started gathering these nostalgic items.
Their collection grew steadily over 40 years until it reached an impressive 80,000 pieces. These items span fourteen decades of American popular culture, from the 1870s to the present day.
In September 1997, the Barkers opened their two-story museum in Cheshire, Connecticut. Their vision was to preserve American childhood memories and showcase how toys reflect our cultural history. What began as a hobby evolved into a unique institution dedicated to celebrating popular entertainment through the ages.
Notable Exhibits
The museum houses several remarkable collections that draw visitors from across the country. You’ll find vintage 1930s Mickey Mouse toothpaste alongside a life-sized replica of the Hulk, showcasing the range of items on display.
The Barkers’ collection includes official museum status for several beloved characters. You can explore dedicated exhibits featuring Celebriducks, California Raisins, and Gumby memorabilia not found anywhere else.
Among the 80,000+ treasures, you’ll discover antique toys, comic books, and advertising collectibles that tell the story of American pop culture. Each exhibit is thoughtfully arranged to highlight how characters evolved over time.
The museum stands as one of the most complete expressions of American childhood through the decades, preserving pieces that might otherwise have been lost to time.
Artifacts and Collections
The Barker Museum houses an incredible collection of 80,000 antique toys and collectibles spanning over 14 decades of American history. These treasures showcase the evolution of American childhood through the ages, with items that Herbert and Gloria Barker spent more than 40 years collecting.
Rare Comic Books
When you visit the Barker Museum, you’ll discover an impressive array of rare comic books that tell the story of American pop culture. Many of these comics date back to the early days of the medium, showing how beloved characters evolved over time.
The collection features iconic superhero comics alongside lesser-known but historically significant titles. You’ll see how artwork and storytelling techniques changed through different eras.
What makes this collection special is that many pieces were purchased by the Barkers at garage sales in the 1970s for less than a dollar each! Now they serve as valuable time capsules of American entertainment history.
Vintage Toys
The toy collection at Barker Museum will transport you back to your childhood no matter your age. From 1930s Mickey Mouse toothpaste tubes to a life-sized Hulk replica, the variety is astounding.
You’ll find yourself pointing and exclaiming “I had that!” as you explore displays featuring:
- Official California Raisins memorabilia
- Gumby collectibles (the museum is an official museum for the character)
- Celebriducks merchandise
- Cartoon character lunch boxes
- Vintage action figures
Each display case is carefully arranged to showcase toys from different decades. The Barkers’ passion for preservation means you can see how toy manufacturing and popular characters transformed throughout American history.
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