In 1872 a young man named Albert Schoenhut came to Philadelphia from Germany. His father and grandfather were toy makers and he came here to continue the family tradition. Albert started out making toy pianos and musical instruments and by the time he died in 1912 the company was the largest toy maker in the world and the only company that exported toys to Germany.

Schoenhut died in 1912 and remains arguably the most famous American maker of wooden toys. The company itself ceased operations in 1935, when the Great Depression made toys an unaffordable luxury for most Americans. Albert’s son, Otto, partnered with Stanley Osborn to start O. Schoenhut, Inc. The new company’s 4-5-6 Pick Up Sticks toy became one of the first real fads in American toys and remained popular with adults and children for over 20 years.

Highlights of the exhibition include one of Albert’s most popular toys, the Humpty Dumpty Circus, along with dolls, pianos, a battleship and a submarine that explodes. A unique object is also on loan from the Schoenhut family, a Connie Mack doll in suit and bow tie, Albert was a big A’s fan. 

Open now through May 2016. 

The exhibition is sponsored by Dow Chemical. 

Exhibition Program
Program and discussion with collectors Joe Wells & Carol Corson
Thursday, October 15. Doors Open at 5:30 p.m. Program begins at 6:00 p.m.
Arrive early to view the exhibition. Admission is free. Registration is required. Register here.