A Massachusetts museum is proving that one person’s trash can be another’s treasure. The Museum of Lost Toys & Curiosities, founded in 2021 by Corinn Flaherty, is located on Plum Island and is home to thousands of objects that have washed ashore on a nearby beach. These objects range from Monopoly pieces and cutlery to toy soldiers and doll parts. Flaherty, who has been collecting discarded items from her morning walks for the past decade, aims to raise awareness about marine pollution through her unique collection.
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Originally from Long Island, N.Y., Flaherty moved to Plum Island in 2011 and started her days with beach walks with her dog. It was during one of these walks in 2015 that she stumbled upon a doll’s head frozen in the sand. Intrigued, she took it home and began collecting other items like straws, plastic cutlery, bottle caps, and microplastics that she found on the beach. Flaherty shares that among the most common items she finds are shotgun shells, likely from hunters in the area.
Aside from the typical plastic trash, Flaherty has come across some unusual items, such as shoe heels with plastic mold still attached, a Merrimack College professor’s name badge, and a cloth label with a criminal record. In 2021, Flaherty rented a studio space in a former carriage factory in Amesbury, Mass., where she established the Museum of Lost Toys & Curiosities. The museum currently occupies three rooms and offers visitors the chance to engage in a scavenger hunt, adding an interactive element to the experience.
Despite only being open to visitors by appointment at the moment, the museum has garnered attention from the local media and drawn a diverse crowd of collectors, environmentalists, and curious individuals. One highlight for Flaherty is hearing the stories from visitors who have personal connections to the objects on display, evoking nostalgic memories. She believes that the collection, while a result of marine pollution, has made a positive impact, citing an example of a woman who decided to stop using plastic cutlery for events after visiting the museum.
Flaherty emphasises that while it may seem daunting to tackle the issue of plastic pollution, small changes in individual lifestyles can collectively make a significant difference. She views the museum as an opportunity to educate and inspire others to reconsider their consumption habits and make more environmentally conscious choices. Ultimately, the Museum of Lost Toys & Curiosities serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of human activity on the environment and the importance of taking action to protect our planet for future generations.