In 1869, the J. & E. Stevens Company of Cromwell, Connecticut began making iron banks that performed an action when coins were deposited into them.  Mechanical banks quickly became popular with both children and adults throughout America and beyond.  Today. mechanical toy banks are highly collectable and sell for thousands of dollars at auction, but that is only the beginning of this fascinating story.  Join Richard Franklin Donohue, Historian for the Town of Cromwell, as he demonstrates a collection of mechanical banks and explains their history and the amusing tales that inspired their design.  Witness Boss Tweed take kickbacks, one coin at a time.  See William Tell shoot an apple from the top of his son's head with a penny!  Watch a gentlemanly game of 1880's baseball from the third base line and help to feed a mangerie of animals, from frogs to bulldogs.