Puppen- und Spielzeugmuseum Baden

About the museum

The museum goes back to the collection of Helga Weidinger of Baden, which she assembled over more than thirty years. Since 1990 it has been run by the Stadtgemeinde (municipality) of Baden; the passion for collecting has continued in the family, as Weidinger's daughter Barbara still looks after the holdings today.

The display is housed in the garden wing of the Attemsvilla, built in 1838, right next to the casino in the Kurpark. Spread over two floors, hundreds of exhibits show how children and adults played over three centuries. The oldest pieces are a peep box (Guckkasten) from 1760 and a paper dress-up doll with eight “Roben” (outfits) from 1820. The smallest movable doll measures just twelve millimeters and was made of wood in the Grödnertal valley in South Tyrol during the first half of the 19th century.

The emphasis is on the period around 1900: dollhouses with heatable miniature stoves, porcelain dolls, plush animals and Steiff teddy bears, animals on wheels, and tinplate toys from Schuco. The mostly handmade toys reflect the adult world in miniature and give insight into social roles and everyday life of the time.

Highlights

• Peep box from 1760 and paper dress-up doll from 1820
• Smallest movable doll: only 12 millimeters tall
• Dollhouses from around 1900 with working miniature stoves
• Steiff teddy bears and plush animals
• Tinplate toys by Schuco

Permanent exhibition

• Puppen und Spielzeug aus drei Jahrhunderten – Dollhouses, showcases, plush animals and tinplate toys from the late 18th to the 20th century, spread over two floors.

Founded

1990

Operated by

Stadtgemeinde Baden

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Niederösterreich-CARD.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Because of the historic building fabric, the museum is not barrier-free.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The museum is explicitly aimed at young and old alike: children discover dolls and teddies, while adults find memories of their own childhood.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A2, exit Baden, toward the center. From Baden station it is about 10 minutes on foot.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit