July 10, 2026 3:40 a.m.
Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice and Tim Freeman have along with the staff at the Douglas County Museum of History and Natural History have announced the opening of “Timeless Treasures: Museum Bicycles & Toys”, a new exhibit that is now open.
A county release said the exhibit showcases more than a century of childhood history through an extraordinary collection of vintage bicycles, toys and model trains.
The exhibit features 29 vintage bicycles and 104 toys, many of which were previously donated by the family of Joe Burris, a passionate collector and restorer who spent years preserving historic bicycles. Thanks to the Burris family’s generosity, visitors now have the opportunity to experience one of the museum’s most unique and engaging collections. Among the oldest artifacts on display is a small metal and wood child’s sled dating to the late 1800s, offering a glimpse into childhood recreation more than a century ago.
The exhibit was conceived by Museum Director James Davis, whose lifetime appreciation for vintage toys inspired the museum to pursue the acquisition of such a significant collection when the opportunity arose.
The exhibit was curated by Karen Bratton, Museum Research Librarian and Collection Manager, and expertly fabricated by Museum Operations Technician Jim Aune. Visitors will discover bicycles spanning from the late 1800s through the mid1960s, including early “boneshaker” bicycles, classic men’s and women’s models, tandem bicycles built for two, as well as children’s bicycles and tricycles. Among the exhibit’s featured pieces are two exceptional Schwinn bicycles dating from the 1950s and 1960s.
The exhibit also includes an impressive collection of model trains drawn from both the museum’s collection and the personal collection of Jim Aune. The train display features trains dating from approximately 1960 through 2000.
The museum is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and veterans, $2 for children aged 5-17 and free for members and those under age 4.
For more information on the Douglas County Museum of History and Natural History, go to: https://umpquavalleymuseums.org/