Collectors' Corner Museum Is a True Hidden Gem

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Meet Jim and Nida Gyorfy, curators of the very unique Collectors’ Corner Museum. Located in Idaho Falls, Idaho, it is home to just about every collectible known to mankind: stamps, coins, Beanie Babies, military wear, toy cars, dolls, trains, Peanuts characters, buttons, Coca-Cola memorabilia, and much more. I am greeted warmly by Nida, and, since I’m the only visitor, offered a personal tour by Jim.

“Everything has a story,” Jim says. “There’s a person and a memory connected to it.”

That, in short, defines “collectible” in his eyes.

The first collection I’m shown more closely is an array of Pez dispensers. They have been produced in three countries: Slovakia, Germany, and Hungary. At the top of the case sits a toy gun – a Pez dispenser that had an extremely short shelf life after a consumer was shot in the eye with it.

Cabbage Patch Dolls, which were massively popular in my day, come in various types. A man in Georgia made one for his kid, Coleco came and swooped it up, and the rest is history. They have been made out of nylon, porcelain, and vinyl. The porcelain type was short-lived and designed more for the “serious” collector.

A Japanese doll set impresses as the dolls’ pale skin is composed of oyster shells ground up with paste, and the clothing is meticulous and intricate.

Another doll collection is that of the Madame Alexander First Ladies. Painstakingly faithful, they are modeled after the Presidential First Ladies and the exact look they had on inauguration day. A series was composed of six such dolls, created in order from Mrs. Washington onward. In all, about 38 made it to the market. Women were sent to the Smithsonian to nail down the exact look from dress to makeup to hair.

Perhaps my favorite display is the Matchbox 50^th Birthday series of cars. One was made for each state, and it came with a mini-license plate. The car was custom-designed for the state (e.g., California is a classic surfer’s car from the 60’s), and some do not even have a traditional car (Colorado is a snowmobile). They were only issued for one summer, in 2000. You could find them in stores like Target, but they rotated which ones were available. Additionally, six came only in Happy Meals. The result is that the couple did a lot of hunting and bought a lot of Happy Meals…but after three years, they completed the collection (and ironically, Idaho was one of the last).

They also have the first car Matchbox ever issued – a blue steamroller in 1968 – and a coal truck carrying coal all made out of coal.

Their Idaho Centennial collection includes hats, mugs, a commemorative plate, and a gold-plated rifle (one of 1000 made). Jim himself participated in the celebrations, building floats.

The Civil War currency has a back story. The coins used to be melted down to provide more material for the war effort. In their place, paper, or “fractional” currency was issued (for example, there would be a paper bearing 50 cents for a 50 cent coin).

As Jim frequently mentions in one way or another, the collections would not have meaning without the people behind them. The museum has received a large amount of donations, and the Smurf collection is one of them. It was donated by a mother whose daughter died of cancer.

“When the mom saw them on display, she cried,” Jim remarks.

Jim and his wife have been married for over 50 years. They were both collectors before they met, so it’s not surprising this common passion took root the way it did. Once they retired from Tupperware, the museum took shape.

“Collecting was a part of my past, a part of my life. It brought back a fond memory.  A fond memory usually covers up a bad memory.”

The museum opened in 2003. It has been featured on TripAdvisor and RoadsideAmerica, and been driven by word of mouth. There’s a warehouse with more stuff, and he rotates one room with a featured collection (currently it’s war-related).

“I’m very selective now,” he says. “I make a story with the display.”

The Collectors’ Corner Museum is an Idaho homegrown treasure. It will continue on for decades, as the couple’s sons are in line to assume operations when that day comes.

It’s clear the couple has a deep pride and appreciation for their collections and for the community they live in, and the rewards have come back in spades.

More photos from Collectors' Corner Museum: