Mary Ellen Brackemyer submitted this article with photos by Steve Siefken.
Morrison’s Heritage Museum showcases several locally-manufactured items at 202 E. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL. One extensive collection includes various Rich Toy Company items–from doll houses and skis, to bowling pins and a sailboat. Recently, ten Rich family members visited the building and enjoyed items created by the former Rich Illinois Manufacturing Company.
On July 25, 2015, Morrison Historical Society hosted three siblings, Martha (Rich) Garrett, Sara (Rich) Dwyer, and Edward Mills Rich III, whose father and grandfather founded Rich Toy Company in Sterling, IL, in 1923. Later, the company moved to Morrison. They shared memories with their spouses, children, and a granddaughter about toys their father gave them.
Martha, the oldest daughter, and her sister, Sara, found images of their doll house among the museum’s many pictures. Mills, the youngest of the Rich children, had played with the toy garage.
“That Western toy box is in my garage,” Martha remarked. When Mills saw the upright toy box in the balcony storage area, he said he remembered sliding the door over, taking out all the toys, then climbing in and closing the door. It was a good hiding place from his sisters. He was surprised to learn that the company once made toy sailboats. In the museum’s lower level, Mills was able to view one. Martha and Sara stated they only learned of the skis on their last visit to the Morrison Historical Society museum.
Three adult Rich children saw the picture of the manufacturing building in Tupelo, MS, the final destination of the company. All commented about being there. Sara knew her father’s office was in the front, right corner of the square office building. Grandfather’s was next to his. She recalled seeing the water skis on the back wall of that building. Mills, being much younger at the time, remembered chocolate milk was kept in the back, right corner of the office building. Martha said they had visited that building not long ago. They were shown a section of the original building wall that had not been renovated. It was left as it was, to show how high the flood water had been. A flood put an end to the company.
Before coming to the museum, the family had been to visit their aunt, Helen Volckmann. Inside the museum, Sara had her picture taken with her aunt’s gown, worn on September 14, 1966. Volckmann wore it to a State dinner with President of the Republic of Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, his wife, Imelda, and President and Mrs. Lyndon Johnson. Brigadier General Russell Volckmann, Volckmann’s late husband, was aided by Marcos during WWII.
Ginni, the youngest Rich family member, had fun, too. She sat on the rocking horse and smiled, although not in this photograph.
The visitors learned many historical facts they had not known. The toys were first made in Sterling. They company moved to Morrison to get wood that Illinois Refrigerator Company no longer needed for manufacturing. The refrigerator company invited the Rich Company to move into their building. That invitation brought new business to Morrison. After a fire at Illinois Refrigeration Company and the Rich Toy Company in 1928, IRC fell into bankruptcy. It was bought by Rich Toy Company. In 1934 the name was changed to Rich Illinois Manufacturing Company.
Martha’s sons posed with a “Roy Rogers” guitar. Sara said her father had traveled to ask permission of the popular film and television star to use the celebrity’s signature on the instrument.
Family pictures were taken and stories shared.
Each item in a museum is attached to a story. Sometimes family members come to tell it. Visit Morrison’s Heritage Museum Friday through Sunday, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., to discover other rich local stories.