Historic toy soldier company marches on Pamplin Park

Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier is hosting the world’s oldest toy soldier company W. Britain on July 27-29 for their annual model figure symposium.

The W. Britain Company was founded in 1893 by William Britain who began making metal toys to include the world’s most famous toy soldiers for over 125 years. The shiny playthings of children’s past have now been joined by highly accurate and realistic looking collectable miniatures of today. The W. Britain Company creates history in miniature from the time of the Vikings up through the World Wars of the 20^th century. A large selection of well researched accessories and scenic items are available to create dioramas of bygone times.

Symposium attendees will be able to participate in workshops that include toy soldier painting and making your own diorama of a winter quarters encampment starting on Friday. A full day of military history related seminars range from the Civil War to the United States Marine Corps and a history of fortifications from ancient times by experts in their fields. Afterwards, a banquet event includes a silent auction and presentation by sculptor and W. Britain, General Manager, Ken Osen. A special Sunday program and tour will be led by Pamplin Historical Park staff to close out the weekend.

The full weekend symposium cost is $99.00 with additional fees for the workshops ranging from $45.00 to $125.00. The Saturday evening banquet is available for the separate fee of $66.00. A special symposium figure of Medal of Honor recipient Captain Charles Gould of the U.S. 5^th Vermont Infantry is included in the full symposium package or available separately for $40.00. Gould was the first man to enter the Confederate works at the Petersburg Breakthrough Battle that is now preserved at Pamplin Historical Park.

Pre-registration and payment is required for all aspects of the symposium and information can be found at the www.wbritain.com and www.pamplinpark.org websites or by calling (419) 865-5077 and email at [email protected].