The Toy and Play Museum in Kielce

The Toy and Play Museum in Kielce, established in 1979 as the Museum of Toy Making, has a rich history connected with the development of the toy industry in Poland. It was founded in the 1970s in the context of the activities of the National Association of Toy Cooperatives, which brought together toy manufacturers. Initially, the museum had a research character, supporting toy designers and manufacturers, and displayed its first exhibits in one room of the National Museum. In 1982, the museum moved to a historic granary on Zamkowa Street, but the conditions did not meet museum requirements, resulting in the closure of the exhibition in 1985. From that point on, the museum organized exhibitions in various institutions across Poland until the opening of a permanent exhibition in 1988 in a tenement house on Kościuszki Street. In 2004, the mayor of Kielce handed over a 19th-century building of former market halls at Wolności Square to the museum, which allowed for a general renovation completed in 2005. In 2006, the museum changed its name to the Toy and Play Museum, inaugurating the new location with the first display of the Holy Cross Witch on the clock tower. The museum boasts a rich collection of both historical and contemporary toys, making it an important point on the cultural map of Kielce. The architectural aspects of the building combine modernity with the historical character of 19th-century architecture, emphasizing the cultural value of this place. The museum not only collects and exhibits toys but also organizes various events and workshops, significantly contributing to the development of culture and education in the region. An interesting fact is that the museum displays unique exhibits and initiates various interactive events, making it an attractive place for both children and adults, and also contributing to the promotion of toy heritage in Poland.