Located in Napa, California, the Napa Toy Museum preserves childhood artifacts of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Founded by Charles and Maggie Hall in 2024, the museum houses the couple’s personal collection of vintage toys, games, and ephemera. It collection includes examples of toy banks dating back to 1884, penny toys, and early playthings made of wood and tin. More contemporary objects such as the games Cootie and Operation highlight the evolution of manufacturing, trends, and the influences on childhood play.
In addition to the Halls’ extensive collection, the museum also welcomes guest curators. Their temporary exhibits — such as Myk Ciapusci’s collection of dolls and related toys — give visitors a chance to discover different facets of the toy world.
One unique aspect of the museum is its representation of European toys. Of note is the German-made Noah’s Ark set from 1890 that features 120 pairs of carved wooden creatures.
The museum is open to the public on select days of the week. Private and group tours can be arranged by request.
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