Life-size play is about to get serious.
The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, one of the largest and most comprehensive museums dedicated to the history and evolution of play and games, is unveiling a 90,000-square-foot expansion on June 30 with a focus on classic board games, video game technology, and interactive exhibits.
Among the new additions as a result of the expansion is a 17,000-square-foot outdoor Hasbro Board Game Park. The park will feature a large Candyland path, giant Monopoly pieces, and a life-size fire-breathing dragon inspired by Dungeons and Dragons.
A highly interactive exhibit space, in which visitors can become their own avatars, will eat up 24,000 square feet of the expansion. Two video game areas, Level Up and High Scope, will also be introduced, open to both kids and adults.
Finally, the museum will open the Hasbro Board Game Place, an indoor exhibit focusing on the social impact of gameplay with a nostalgic skew.
The move toward immersive, play-forward museum exhibits has surged as of late, with brands like Crayola and Spin Master producing and collaborating on hands-on experiences.
The Strong National Museum of Play was established in 1969 and opened to the public in 1982. The renovations will supplement the existing 100,000 square feet the museum currently occupies, which is filled with an indoor garden, the set from Sesame Street, historic pinball machines, and more.
For more information about the expansion, visit museumofplay.org.
