Richard Donohue, president of the Cromwell (CT) Historical Society, will present “Antique Mechanical Toys” on Sunday, May 21, at 2 pm, at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street.

The event is sponsored by the historical society and the town library.

Mechanical banks from the late 1800s were enjoyable toys for children as well as a way to teach them how to save those very important pennies.

In 1869, the J&E Stevens Company of Cromwell began making iron banks that performed a unique action when coins were deposited into them. These mechanical banks soon became popular with adults and children not only in Connecticut, but throughout America.

“The best part of these banks,” explains Donohue, “is seeing each one do something different, such as Boss Tweed take kickbacks, one at a time; William Tell shoot an apple from the top of his son’s head with a penny, or a gentlemanly game of 1880s baseball from the third-base line.”

The banks are still very popular today, not so much as toys but for their collectable value. Depending on their theme and scarcity, they can run into the thousands of dollars at auction.

Many fakes and reproductions are on the market, however. Donohue will provide some ways to determine whether one is legitimate.

“As always, the Historical Society gladly welcomes you to this free event,” says program facilitator Gordon Williams, “but donations are always welcome.”