About mechanical toys museum of new zealand

A fascinating topic!

The Mechanical Toys Museum of New Zealand is a unique museum located in Auckland, New Zealand. It showcases a vast collection of mechanical toys, clockwork machines, and automata from around the world. Here are some interesting facts about the museum:

History: The museum was founded in 1994 by a collector and enthusiast, John H. Wilson. Wilson had a passion for mechanical toys and spent over 30 years collecting and restoring these intricate machines.

Collection: The museum has an impressive collection of over 1,000 mechanical toys, including:

  1. Clockwork machines: intricate clockwork mechanisms that perform various tasks, such as music boxes, automata, and mechanical animals.
  2. Automata: self-operating machines that can perform complex tasks, like playing musical instruments, dancing, or even doing acrobatics.
  3. Mechanical toys: toys that use gears, levers, and other mechanical components to create movement and action, such as tin toys, wooden toys, and metal toys.
  4. Vintage toys: rare and historic toys from the 18th to the 20th centuries, including early tin toys, wooden toys, and mechanical games.

Exhibits: The museum has several exhibits showcasing the mechanical toys, including:

  1. The "Clockwork Corner" featuring intricate clockwork machines and automata.
  2. The "Tin Toy Room" with a vast collection of tin toys from around the world.
  3. The "Wooden Wonders" exhibit featuring wooden toys and mechanical games.
  4. The "Vintage Toy Room" with a selection of rare and historic toys.

Restoration: The museum has a dedicated team of restorers who work to preserve and restore the mechanical toys to their original condition. Visitors can watch the restoration process and even participate in workshops and demonstrations.

Education: The museum offers educational programs and workshops for children and adults, focusing on the history and mechanics of mechanical toys. Visitors can also participate in guided tours and interactive activities.

Visiting: The Mechanical Toys Museum of New Zealand is open to the public and is located at 1/15-17 Victoria Street West, Auckland. Visitors can plan their visit on the museum's website, which provides information on opening hours, admission fees, and special events.

Overall, the Mechanical Toys Museum of New Zealand is a unique and fascinating destination for anyone interested in mechanical toys, clockwork machines, and automata.