A Museum of Memories
Veteran’s toy collection inspires nostalgia
By Allison LaBrot
There’s something magical about seeing a toy from your past—the rush of nostalgia, the instant transport back to childhood. At The Best Little Toy Museum in Texas, that feeling isn’t limited to a single moment; it fills every inch of the space, from towering action figure displays to vintage lunch boxes that spark memories of school days long gone.
For many, a single box or a dusty attic corner holds their collectibles. For Stephen Gardner, a building (or two, or three) is required. Located on a residential property just outside Wylie, Gardner’s museum is home to more than 20,000 toys and collectibles.
“(The museum) is probably 98% my personal collection,” said Gardner, adding that his two sons might argue their contributions deserve more credit. Leland, 14, and David, 11, have helped expand the museum’s superhero room from an early age, and neighbors have donated pieces of their own collections to fill in the decades of entertainment represented in the museum. Three rooms hold action figures, posters, lunch boxes and more from the 1920s to today.
Gardner describes his collection as a history of pop culture, filled with memorabilia from TV shows, movies and well-known musicians. The collection started modestly—just a few “Star Wars” figures on a shelf in Gardner’s barracks 30 years ago.
“I thought they were only going to make a handful … but then they made more, so I bought them, and they made more, and I bought them,” he said.
Today, his “Star Wars” collection alone could fill the museum’s 1,600 square feet. Each item represents an interest that began with “Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope” in 1977.
“It was the first movie I remember watching in the theater,” Gardner said.
For years, the collection was displayed in Gardner’s home. But about seven years ago, his stepfather shared an article about a man who ran a superhero museum in a two-story garage next to his house. Gardner had originally planned to build a home theater to accommodate his growing collection, but the idea of sharing his passion with the public was far more appealing.
“(The man) had over 10,000 people a year going through his property,” Gardner said.
Inspired, he explored the man’s website and YouTube channel. He realized he needed to expand his inventory beyond just “Star Wars” figures, which would mean years of sourcing items and building a structure big enough to house them all.
While still active in the Army, Gardner was also studying law as part of his plan to establish a solo legal practice following his retirement. However, the pandemic changed his plans. After retiring in 2021, he began building the museum the following year. The Best Little Toy Museum in Texas opened its doors in June 2023.
A journey through time
Visitors are greeted by two large Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and one small Dolly Parton figure in the front lobby, which doubles as a game room. The admission fee includes access to a pool table and classic arcade games like PAC-MAN and Tron, as well as a scavenger hunt. Kids and adults receive different lists tailored to their era. If a visitor stumbles across an unfamiliar item, Gardner is happy to jog their memory. Successful scavenger hunters leave with a comic book or toy.
Beyond the lobby, three rooms abound with memorabilia. Towering glass cases display a century’s worth of collectibles, from a Shirley Temple doll to items from ongoing movie and TV series. Every visitor is bound to find a piece of their past tucked among the displays. Lucy Ricardo with her Vitameatavegamin bottle, a “Full House” doll set and detailed “The Lord of the Rings” figures are just a few of the nostalgic finds filling the cases, corners, and even the ceiling.
To the left, a life-sized Iron Man suit guards the entrance to a superhero-themed room packed with Marvel and DC Comics items in cases assembled by Gardner using garage shelving as a base. Figures are posed in action scenes—riding in vehicles, battling villains, or standing stoically in their signature suits. Gardner uses these figures to create stop-motion videos in his spare time.
The final room, a mix of arcade games and “Star Wars” memorabilia, has recently become available for private event rentals. After hours of exploring the rooms, visitors may begin to hear voices—but no need for concern. Some of the toys have motion-activated voice boxes, offering an unexpected (and amusing) surprise.
Expanding the collection
Gardner acquires museum pieces from big-box retailers, estate sales, antique malls, toy shows, and online marketplaces. He researches values carefully and waits for reasonable prices before adding to his collection.
As the museum continues to grow, so do Gardner’s plans for the future. He hopes to open an additional event space in the superhero room by April, build a deck outside for food trucks, and add shipping containers to keep exhibts in chronological order.
Another upcoming addition is a membership program for repeat visitors.
The program, expected to launch within the next two months, will offer exclusive monthly events for toy enthusiasts, as well as access to vendors.
Looking ahead, Gardner wants to expand the museum’s representation of the 1920s-1960s displays.
“I feel that portion of the collection still has a lot of room for representation,” he said, adding that his ultimate goal is to ensure “anyone who comes in will see at least one item that they connect with.”
Gardner aims to keep admission prices affordable as the museum expands. Entry to The Best Little Toy Museum in Texas is $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 4-12, and free for children under 4. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and is located at 3509 Aztec Trail in Wylie.
For more information, visit thebestlittletoymuseumintexasc.godaddysites.com.