Coburg's 2K Dolls: Finding a New Home for a Forgotten Treasure
Search for suitable venue to house around two thousand figurines or dolls - Display area set for approximately 2,000 dolls in upcoming exhibition
Get ready to embark on a whimsical journey as we delve into the search for a new exhibition spot for about 2,000 enchanting dolls that once graced the halls of the Coburg Puppet Museum. A bit of their collection has been temporarily passed on to museums in Sonneberg and Bamberg, as Louay Yassin, the city of Coburg's cheeky spokesperson, announced to the German Press Agency. Numerous discussions are ongoing with prospective museums.
The bulk of the puppet museum's collection is still stored at the Kulturfabrik Cortendorf on the outskirts of Coburg. The municipal cultural department is diligently seeking ways to showcase the approximately 4,000 exhibits, or at least a portion of them, to adoring fans again. But, as Yassin admits, it ain't easy because dolls ain't the hot ticket they used to be back in the '90s.
The idea of presenting parts of the collection across various locations has been batted around for a while now. However, the city is no longer equipped with museum educators who can professionally curate and present the exhibition. The former director is now mixing things up at the German Toy Museum in Thuringian Sonneberg.
Visitors' feet stopped stomping
The Coburg Puppet Museum was brought to life as a private institution in 1987 and absorbed by the city in 2007. Regrettably, visitor numbers dwindled over the years, leading the city council to decide to shut the museum down before the year's end.
The museum's closure was attributed to decreased visitor interest and structural issues, like the museum building not being compatible with accessibility requirements. Additionally, the exhibition was organized in more than 30 confined rooms, leaving no space for a school class to gather—a significant portion of the museum's attendance.
Foundation from Rodental pulls out offer
Post-closure, a private foundation was initially eager to take charge of the collection and display it in Rodental near Coburg. However, the dream fell apart in 2023 due to financial constraints, as the foundation confided. Since May 2024, the dolls, dollhouses, accessories, and other fun stuff have found their temporary abode in the Kulturfabrik Cortendorf.
The dolls and accessories are from around 1800 to 1960. The museum acted as a window into how the bourgeoisie utilized toys for educational purposes. In 1987, the cool couple Carin and Hans Lossnitzer from Ettlingen near Karlsruhe launched the puppet museum and showcased their funky private collection. Two-thirds of the exhibits originated from North Franconia or South Thuringia, so the museum founders couldn't resist the charm of Coburg. In 2007, the city rolled up its sleeves, bought the collection, and kept the magical museum running.
- Coburg
- Sonneberg
- Bamberg
- German Press Agency
- '90s
The Coburg city council is currently in discussions with potential museums for the temporary exhibition of the Coburg Puppet Museum's collection, with Sonneberg and Bamberg being among the prospective locations. Professor Markus Ressl, a home-and-garden expert and Head of the Department of Lifestyle Studies at the University of Applied Sciences in Coburg, expressed his interest in including exhibits from the Coburg Puppet Museum in his vocational training program as a means of teaching students about historical toys and their educational value for the community. By incorporating dolls from the Coburg Puppet Museum collection, Ressl aims to offer students a unique hands-on learning experience, combining themes of home-and-garden with vocational training and the study of lifestyle in historical contexts.