Tartu Toy Museum facts for kids
| Tartu Mänguasjamuuseum | |
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| Established | 29 May 1994 |
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| Location | Tartu, Estonia |
| Type | Children's museum |
| Collection size | 5000+ |
| Visitors | 43'000+ (in 2010) |
The Tartu Toy Museum (called Tartu Mänguasjamuuseum in Estonian) is a super fun place in Tartu, Estonia. It's the biggest toy museum in the Baltic countries! You can see over 5,000 toys from its huge collection. There are also cool interactive toys you can play with, plus a special playroom just for kids.
The museum first opened its doors in 1994. Since 2004, it has been located in one of Tartu's oldest wooden buildings. This building on Lutsu Street dates all the way back to the 1770s! In 2005, a special exhibit for film puppets opened in the courtyard. It shows puppets, props, and drawings from Estonian animated movies made over the last 50 years.
In 2010, the Toy Museum added its amazing Theatre House. This is a unique children's theatre inspired by the museum itself. Inside, you'll find a theatre hall and a museum just for theatre puppets. There's even a room from a medieval house that was found during digging! Kids can also enjoy a studio for theatre programs, do crafts, and learn about the exciting world of theatre.
Contents
A Look Back: How the Museum Started
The Tartu Toy Museum officially opened on May 29, 1994. It was supported by the City Government of Tartu. At first, the museum was in the basement of a private house and a smaller building. These were located at 1 Lai Street.
The museum was started by three people: Meeri Säre, Mare Hunt, and Tiia Toomet. Tiia Toomet also became the very first director of the museum. Since 2007, Triin Vaaro has been the director.
Moving to a New Home
In late 2003, the Tartu Toy Museum moved to its current location. This was the old wooden building on Lutsu Street. It was specially fixed up to be perfect for the museum. On March 13, 2004, a brand new main exhibit opened. This included a fun playroom and a crafts room where visitors could create things.
On December 2, 2005, another exciting part opened: the house of theatre and animation puppets. This building used to be a coach house in the museum's yard. It now displays characters and props from Estonian animation films. You can also see drawings from cartoons that were made over the last 50 years. Before this, these items were shown in a different gallery.
Until 2010, this courtyard house also showed theatre puppets from Estonia and other countries.
The Theatre House Opens
In 2010, the Toy Museum opened its special Theatre House. This new addition is perfect for children's and family plays. It also has a Children's Studio for different activities. Plus, there's a small museum dedicated to theatre puppets inside.
Meet Teddy Flower-Paw: The Museum's Mascot
The friendly mascot of the Tartu Toy Museum is a teddy bear named Teddy Flower-paw. This special teddy bear was sewn in 1994 by Kai Maser. Teddy Flower-paw wears a traditional Estonian folk costume skirt. Her name comes from the pretty flower-patterned cloth used to make her paws.
Teddy Flower-paw is a great representative for the museum! Books have been written about her adventures. There are postcards with her picture, and she has even appeared on television and at different events.
