Tartu Toy Museum
Encyclopedia
Tartu Toy Museum is the biggest toy museum in the Baltic States, located in Tartu
, Estonia
.
Tartu Toy Museum was founded in 1994 and since 2004 is located in one of the oldest wooden buildings in Tartu, Lutsu Street. It displays over 5000 toys from its vast collection and has several interactive toys for the visitors to try out, as well as a playroom for children. In 2005 the film puppets exhibition was opened in the courtyard house, exhibiting film puppets made in Estonia over the last 50 years, props and sketches of animated movies.
In 2010 the Toy Museum opened its Theatre House, which is a unique children’s theatre inspired by a museum. In addition to a theatre hall there is also a theatre puppet museum, a room from a medieval house that was uncovered during the archaeological excavations, a children’s studio for theatre-themed programs, opportunities to do handicraft, play and discover the world of theatre.
. The museum was located in the basement of a private house at the foot of Toome Hill and in a smaller adjoining building at the address 1 Lai St. The founders of the museum were Meeri Säre, Mare Hunt and Tiia Toomet, the latter became also the first director of the toy museum. Since 2007 the director of the toy museum has been Triin Vaaro.
In late 2003, the Tartu Toy Museum moved to its new location, an old wooden building on Lutsu Street, which had been specially renovated to house the museum. On 13th March 2004 a new permanent exhibit was opened, including a playroom and crafts room. On December 2nd 2005, the house of theatre and animation puppets was opened in the former coach house in the yard of the museum. The characters and props of animation films made in Estonia during the last 50 years and sketches of cartoons that were previously exhibited in Toy Museum’s Film Puppets Gallery (Ülikooli St. 1) are now seen in this courtyard house. Until 2010 there was also an exposition of theatre puppets from Estonia and elsewhere in the courtyard house.
In 2010 the Toy Museum opened Theatre House for children and family plays, with a Children’s Studio for different activities and a small museum of theatre puppets.
Flower-paw, who was sewn in 1994 by Kai Maser. The name of the teddy in the national folk costume skirt comes from the flower-patterned cloth that was used to sew its paws. Teddy Flower-paw has done a very good job in representing the museum: there are books written about her, postcards drawn, she has appeared on television and at events.
Tartu
Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the...
, Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
.
Tartu Toy Museum was founded in 1994 and since 2004 is located in one of the oldest wooden buildings in Tartu, Lutsu Street. It displays over 5000 toys from its vast collection and has several interactive toys for the visitors to try out, as well as a playroom for children. In 2005 the film puppets exhibition was opened in the courtyard house, exhibiting film puppets made in Estonia over the last 50 years, props and sketches of animated movies.
In 2010 the Toy Museum opened its Theatre House, which is a unique children’s theatre inspired by a museum. In addition to a theatre hall there is also a theatre puppet museum, a room from a medieval house that was uncovered during the archaeological excavations, a children’s studio for theatre-themed programs, opportunities to do handicraft, play and discover the world of theatre.
History
The Tartu Toy Museum opened on May 28th 1994 under the auspices of the City Government of TartuTartu
Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the...
. The museum was located in the basement of a private house at the foot of Toome Hill and in a smaller adjoining building at the address 1 Lai St. The founders of the museum were Meeri Säre, Mare Hunt and Tiia Toomet, the latter became also the first director of the toy museum. Since 2007 the director of the toy museum has been Triin Vaaro.
In late 2003, the Tartu Toy Museum moved to its new location, an old wooden building on Lutsu Street, which had been specially renovated to house the museum. On 13th March 2004 a new permanent exhibit was opened, including a playroom and crafts room. On December 2nd 2005, the house of theatre and animation puppets was opened in the former coach house in the yard of the museum. The characters and props of animation films made in Estonia during the last 50 years and sketches of cartoons that were previously exhibited in Toy Museum’s Film Puppets Gallery (Ülikooli St. 1) are now seen in this courtyard house. Until 2010 there was also an exposition of theatre puppets from Estonia and elsewhere in the courtyard house.
In 2010 the Toy Museum opened Theatre House for children and family plays, with a Children’s Studio for different activities and a small museum of theatre puppets.
Mascot
The mascot of Tartu Toy Museum is TeddyTeddy bear
The teddy bear is a stuffed toy bear. They are usually stuffed with soft, white cotton and have smooth and soft fur. It is an enduring form of a stuffed animal in many countries, often serving the purpose of entertaining children. In recent times, some teddy bears have become collector's items...
Flower-paw, who was sewn in 1994 by Kai Maser. The name of the teddy in the national folk costume skirt comes from the flower-patterned cloth that was used to sew its paws. Teddy Flower-paw has done a very good job in representing the museum: there are books written about her, postcards drawn, she has appeared on television and at events.