OSHKOSH, Wis. — It may not be in a galaxy far, far away but the Oshkosh Public Museum’s latest “Star Wars” exhibit does feel like something from a long time ago.
Jarrod Roll of Onalaska brought his extensive collection of “Star Wars” toys for public display. The exhibit opened Sunday and is called “Star Wars - The Nostalgia Awakens.”
“When people come in here, their nostalgia is awakened,” said Roll. “When they see that farm boy Luke action figure from 1978, it is just so iconic.”
It’s the largest public exhibit of “Star Wars” toys in Wisconsin. Roll was four years old in 1977 when the first movie, “A New Hope,” was released.
“When we left that theatre, we wanted more,” said Roll. “These toys allow you to recreate it and control it and to carry on your own stories on your own and that’s powerful when you’re a kid.”
The concept of movie-themed toys was new back then and Kenner, who manufactured “Star Wars” toys, wasn’t prepared for demand. The best some kids got for Christmas that year was a piece of cardboard and an “IOU.”
“As soon as those figures are available, kid, you get them in the mail. So Merry Christmas, you get a cardboard backdrop but you also get the promise for toys down the road,” said Roll.
The now very valuable collection covers the first three movies, from 1978 to 1985. Every official toy, with all its pieces, just like it came out of the box over three decades ago.
Roll’s collection began when he was a kid and says he’s lucky his parents didn’t get rid of his toys. When kids his age went off to college, he took advantage of the opportunity.
“So their moms were cleaning out their bedrooms,” he said. “I’d go to their homes and they would lay out everything on a table and I’d say, ‘Okay, I’ll take that guy and that ship,’ and they’re like, ‘No, I’m selling it to you as a lot,’ and I was like, ‘Alright, I’ll take it all.’”
The wide appeal of “Star Wars” should bring more traffic to the museum which is welcome news to Marketing Coordinator Tammy Malewski.
“We’re going to see a lot of people who typically don’t come to museums but they love ‘Star Wars’ and they’re kind of that ‘Star Wars’ nerd. We’re happy to have them because then they can come in and see all the different things the museum has to offer,” said Malewski.
The collection appeals to different generations.
“They both can connect to it and get excited about it. You see the parents saying, this is what I had when I was a kid. Then you’d also have their kids saying, ‘Oh, that’s Jabba the Hutt,’” said Roll.
The nostalgia may be strongest for a certain age group which creates an instant bond between strangers.
“Immediately you have that point of connection. We may not know each other at all but we know ‘Star Wars’ and we know about being a kid back in the 70’s and 80’s and enjoying these things,” said Roll.
The exhibit runs through June 20. The museum asks that you make a reservation ahead of time due to COVID-19 restrictions.