ARTICLES | Lifestyles & Fun Figurine Miscellany

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“Putting on the Dog in Miniature”
The Toy Soldier Museum's James H. Hillestad pays tribute to dogs and their two-legged friends. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure
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“The Country Carnival”
James H. Hillestad recreates all the colorful sights, raucous sounds and great fun of a carnival midway in miniature. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure
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“Big Top Circus”
Instead of running away from home to join a circus, James H. Hillestad has created a diorama capturing all the excitement in miniature. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure
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“Flea Market: Ancient Penomenon”
James H. Hillestad captures the unique qualities of the ubiquitous flea market. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure
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“Lovely Day in a Country Garden”
The Toy Soldier Museum's Jim Hillestad shares his train of thought about a marketing experience. | Toy Solider & Model Figure
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“Chess Gambit Into Toy Soldiers”
James H. Hillestad tells the story of how the game of chess made its way into the world of toy soldiers, with a Hollywood twist. | Toy Solider & Model Figure
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“Zoological Paradise”
“Jungle Jim” Hillestad makes the most of his collection of wildlife figures by creating a zoo diorama. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure
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“Amazing One-Man Bands”
James H. Hillestand ddrums up miniature versions of a very unique musical tradition | Toy Soldier & Model Figure
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“Croquet Anyone?”
James H. Hillestad takes a whack at examining the “Queen of Games” in history and in miniature, with a side trip to British India to boot. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure
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“Polo: The Sport of Kings”
The Toy Soldier Museum’s James H. Hillestad shares a diorama detailing polo match festivities in British India. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure
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“Buggy Factory”
The editor cracks the whip to convince James H. Hillestad to give readers a peek at his detailed and animated carriage works diorama. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure
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“The Bicycle in War and Peace”
With the help of some notable miniatures, James H. Hillestad pedals his way along a colorful path in history. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure
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“American Woodland & Plains Indians
James H. Hillestad looks back at distinctive Native American environments and illustrates them with two evocative dioramas. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure
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“Wild West’s Queen of Cow Towns: Dodge City”
Toy Soldier Museum wrangler Jim Hillestad rounds up figures to illustrate a slice of life in Dodge City, where the convergence of buffalo, railways and longhorn cattle created an 1870s boomtown on the American frontier. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure
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“Silver Bells of Christmastime: Salvation Army”
James H. Hillestad rings in the Christmas season by taking a look at The Salvation Army — a popular suject for a number of toy soldier makers through the years. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure
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“An Unwelcome Intrusion: Suffragettes”
James H. Hillestad deploys his sense of humor to create a diorama depicting suffragettes disrupting a parade. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure
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“Québec Strikes Up the Bands!”
James H. Hillestad unexpectedly encounters international bands on parade while exploring history and hunting for toy soldiers in Québec City.. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure
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“History Abounds in Boalsburg”
James H. Hillestad explores a small Pennsylvania town that's a unique destination for lovers of history. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure
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“The Vikings Are Coming!”
James H. Hillestad sheds some light on a lesser-known culture and his own heritage .| Toy Soldier & Model Figure
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“African Safari’s Jurassic Surprise”
And now for something completely different and eons away from the usual history-themed dioramas created by Toy Soldier Museum proprietor James H. Hillestad. | Toy Soldier & Model Figure
We welcome your visit!
NOTE: This private collection is open by appointment only.
Call 570 629-7227 or email us.
Not suitable for children under 12.
The Toy Soldier Museum
5459 Paradise Valley Rd
Cresco, PA 18326
570-629-7227