Spielzeugsammlung Waldfee
Private doll museum in Wald AR with over 10,000 dolls, marionettes and old toys from around the world in an old Appenzell house; free admission.
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About the museum
The Waldfee toy collection grew out of its founder Gabriele Müller Gloor's passion for dolls. As a flight attendant she brought back countless costume and souvenir dolls from her travels; later, marionettes, shadow figures, toys and soft toys from many countries were added. Her ambition was to show as many countries of the world as possible. The name "Waldfee" (forest fairy) arose during a backpacking trip through Sumatra, where the couple acquired hand-carved wooden letters for the sign on the house.
The museum is housed in the former weaving cellar of an Appenzell house about 250 years old in Wald AR. The house was formerly a restaurant called "Hörnli", where the stagecoaches stopped, later a butcher's shop and then the Sparkasse Wald savings bank. In 1983 the family bought the house and set up the exhibition space; the museum opened in autumn 1987.
Today the collection shows over 10,000 items in a fairytale atmosphere: play dolls, cult dolls and souvenir dolls from around the world, marionettes, old toys and soft toys. On the ground floor, a small shop with gifts, dolls, soft toys and crafts from the museum's own studio invites visitors to browse.
Highlights
- Over 10,000 dolls, marionettes, toys and soft toys from around the world
- Play dolls, cult dolls and souvenir dolls, including marionettes and shadow figures
- Museum in the former weaving cellar of an Appenzell house about 250 years old
- Small shop with dolls, soft toys and crafts
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Puppen und Spielsachen aus aller Welt – Over 10,000 play dolls, cult dolls and souvenir dolls, marionettes, old toys and soft toys from many countries.
- Founded
- 1987
- Operated by
- Gabriele Müller Gloor (privat)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
From St. Gallen take the Trogenerbahn to Trogen, then the PostBus to Wald; or from Rorschach take the Rorschach-Heiden railway to Heiden and continue by PostBus to Wald.
The museum is right next to the school building on the road to St. Anton. By car, bicycle or motorbike from St. Gallen via Speicher and Trogen or via Speicherschwendi and Rehetobel; from Rorschach via Rorschacherberg, Grub and Heiden.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop on the ground floor with gifts, dolls, soft toys and crafts from the museum's own studio. For groups of up to 8 people, a set table with coffee/tea and cake (CHF 20 per person) or an evening apéro (CHF 25 per person) is available by arrangement.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
Up to 8 guests.
Set table amid the collection for up to 8 people by arrangement (coffee/tea and cake CHF 20, apéro and savoury snacks CHF 25 per person).
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Visits outside opening days are possible by appointment. |
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