On Sept. 26 and 27, the Tryon Historical Museum celebrates the centennial anniversary of the founding of Tryon Toy Makers and Wood Carvers. One of the activities will be the production of “A Village of Toys” on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Tryon Fine Arts Center.

This 30-minute one act play, created by John Calure, and featuring the acting talents of Frances McCain, who plays Charlotte Yale and Chris Brink, who plays Eleanor Vance, will “bring to life” the two women (Yale and Vance) who started this iconic Tryon business in 1915.

“A Village of Toys” opens in 1935 at a reception that takes place at Oak Hall, which welcomes Vance and Yale back to Tryon after their visit to Washington, D.C. and the White House as guests of Eleanor Roosevelt. The First Lady invited Vance and Yale to the White House during her visit to Tryon the previous summer.

The monologues in “A Village of Toys” draw a number of parallels between our world today and a century ago.

“As an example, immigration was one of the hot topics of the day in 1915,” Calure said. “Obviously, in a one act play, we can’t touch on every aspect of the lives of these two remarkable women. So, immediately following the production we will invite questions from the audience.”

A reception and auction is scheduled to follow the production.

–       Submitted by John Calure