CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE CELEBRATES PASSAGE OF HIS LEGISLATION TO DESIGNATE THE STRONG AS NATIONAL MUSEUM OF PLAY

(Rochester, N.Y.) — Today, Congressman Joe Morelle highlighted House passage of legislation he authored to designate The Strong as the National Museum of Play.

“The Strong is a one-of-a-kind destination for families of all ages, underscoring the importance of lifelong learning, creativity, and discovery through play,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I’m proud to have authored and passed legislation to secure the national recognition they deserve. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to join us in swiftly passing this bill to cement The Strong’s legacy and showcase their leadership on the national stage.”

Steve M. Dubnik, President and CEO of The Strong, said: “The passage of the ‘National Museum of Play Recognition Act’ in the House of Representatives spotlights The Strong’s national importance as the only museum devoted solely to the study of play. It’s an honor to be recognized at the federal level for the crucial work that the museum does preserving the history of play and bringing joy to families across the country. This recognition would not have been possible without the tireless support of Congressman Joe Morelle, who championed the bill and built bipartisan support with his colleagues in the House of Representatives.”

The Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum was chartered in 1968 in Rochester, New York, to showcase Margaret Woodbury Strong’s collection of dolls and toys, which she amassed over her lifetime. It officially opened to the public in 1982 and has since grown to more than 375,000 square feet, including both the National Toy Hall of Game and the World Video Game Hall of Fame.

Congressman Morelle’s legislation, the National Museum of Play Recognition Act, acknowledges The Strong’s longstanding legacy and leadership as a destination for families of all ages by officially designating it as the “National Museum of Play.”

The National Museum of Play Recognition Act passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support and is currently awaiting consideration by the Senate. To learn more about this legislation, read the full text here.

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