South Carolina State Museum

From old to new, metal to plastic, an array of toy soldiers and military collectibles can be bought, traded, or admired at the South Carolina State Museum’s Southeastern Toy Soldier Show on Saturday, Aug. 9 beginning at 10 a.m. 

 More than 30 exhibitors from across the South will display their collections of toy soldiers, or “military miniatures,” in this annual presentation.  According to Director of Public Programs and Education Meika Samuel, “The toy soldiers represent every period of history as well as a variety of decades.  Past shows have included such figures as Hannibal and his elephants, and Russian czars and czarinas.”  

Soldiers will not be the only items of interest.  Miniature tanks, planes, cannons and vehicles, as well as books, also will be available for purchase from exhibitors.

More military miniatures will be on display in the South Carolina Military Miniature Society’s annual diorama.  “This year’s depiction is a scene from a Roman Imperial procession,” said Fritz Hamer, curator of history.  “The society’s members conducted extensive research so that the diorama is historically accurate.  All the miniature soldiers, horses and equipment are made from lead and are individually hand-painted.  I’ve worked with this group for 14 years and every year they amaze me!  They have a lot of patience to do such fine work!” 

Guests also will see a living history reenactment on the front grounds by the 20th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment.  Demonstrations of the daily lives of Civil War soldiers, including their camps, weapons and equipment, food preparation and more will be presented during the day.

All activities are free with museum admission. For more information about the Southeastern Toy Soldier Show or the military miniature diorama, contact Fritz Hamer at (803) 898-4921.