Celebrating Tryon’s timeless tradition of toys
This summer, Tryon Arts & Crafts School celebrates a beloved chapter of local history with The Tryon Toy-Makers: Selections of Toys from Three Collections. This nostalgic exhibition invites visitors into the colorful, handcrafted world of wooden toys made in Tryon between 1915 and the 1930s. Founded by Eleanor Vance and Charlotte Yale — two visionaries who helped establish Biltmore Industries — the Tryon Toy-Makers trained local youth in fine woodworking, carving, and painting. The results were equal parts whimsical and masterful: dolls with handmade furniture, zoo animals on wheels, miniature mountaineer scenes, and other delights that won national acclaim (and even drew a visit from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt). Complementing the historic display is Handcrafted Wooden Toys by Younger Brother Woodworking, featuring the work of local artist Ray Buckmaster. His joyful, heirloom-quality creations carry the legacy forward.
The Tryon Toy-Makers & Handcrafted Wooden Toys: Through June 26
Tryon Arts & Crafts School / 373 Harmon Field Rd., Tryon / tryonartsandcrafts.org