The Marx Toy Museum

Unless you are a toy history fanatic, you may not be familiar with the Marx name when it comes to toys. Well, have you ever heard of "Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots"? Or maybe the "Big Wheel"? Of course you have. And these are just some of the great "classic" toys to come from the Marx name in the 20th century. Up until April of 2008, enthusiasts could visit the Marx Toy Museum in Erie, Pennsylvania and get a breath of this uniquely Americana history. Sadly, the museum closed it's doors and the history and nostalgia has been relegated to a virtual museum in cyberspace.

The "official" Marx Toy Museum has been located in West Virginia but the Erie branch had been holding the torch for years, staffed and operated by employees that had worked in the Marx toy factories in the Erie area. The Marx Toy Museum in Erie had been a showcase for the eclectic and near-eccentric collection of Marx Toys for over 60 years All time favorite toys such as Zippo the Climbing Monkey sit next to other more obscure offerings including the Big Loo and the Great Garloo action figures and robots.

There was a great deal of care and love for the toys in this museum. It looks like another piece of history has gone by the wayside for the time being, at least.