About

Mission

A museum dedicated to educating the public about the significance of dolls and toys, their role in worldwide history, culture, art and play, and the craftsmanship behind them.

The museum is NYC’s only museum solely dedicated to exhibiting and educating the public about dolls and toys.

History

The Doll and Toy Museum of NYC was established in 1999 as an educational, not-for-profit museum. Marlene Hochman, author of many books on dolls and toys, founded the museum as a way to share her passion with the public and to educate others in the history of dolls and toys. The museum started in a small classroom in Brooklyn, but has steadily seen much growth and change with hopes of becoming a New York City landmark in the near future. Since the inception of the Doll and Toy Museum, there have been numerous traveling exhibits, activities and programs for all to enjoy, young and old.

The museum has carried out its mission by assembling a collection of more than 5,000 relevant objects, including dolls, toys, games, dollhouses, reference materials, photographs, and the collection continues to grow.

The museum currently has traveling exhibitions throughout the New York City area, with hopes of one day having a permanent facility. All of the toys in the collection have been assembled through donations by individuals.

The beginning history…

By: Marlene Hochman, Founder

It all started with chess, in 1973 when I was the only girl on the all boys chess team in my Junior High School, in Miami. Why weren’t there more girls who played chess?

By 1998, as a mother and chess coach of the PS 29 Chess Club, I knew it was important for me to find an innovative way to attract more elementary school girls to play this game. It is well documented that learning chess is good discipline for the mind. Therefore, I created a Barbie Chess Set that was a success, and was covered in The New York Times and on CNN. Barbie chess demystified a complicated game using toys and my idea for an entire educational doll and toy museum was born.

There were many successful doll and toy museums around the world, but, amazingly, none in New York. If I could establish New York City’s first Doll and Toy Museum, it could help millions of children learn many subjects in new ways. This could make the city a better place for everyone. I began with a degree from NYU and the experience of having published several books on dolls and teddy bears, along with a great desire to create this vision.

We had a founding Board of Directors by March 1999 to help with the daunting task of starting an educational not-for-profit museum in New York City.

On July 16, 1999, the Board of Regents voted that a provisional-charter was granted to The Doll and Toy Museum of New York City.

Board of Directors

  • Marlene Hochman, Doll & Toy Museum Board President
  • Denise Arbesu, Citibank
  • Linda Feller
  • Carolyn Kreisman
  • Laurie Resnick-Gallo
  • Ron Ries, Jewish Board
  • Harriet Roberts
  • Jack Suben, Suben/Dougherty Partnership, Secretary
  • Barbara Vivian

Our Staff

FULL TIME

  • Marlene Hochman, Executive Director

PART TIME & VOLUNTEER STAFF

  • Judith Benjamin, Arts & Crafts
  • Joel Cohen, Exhibit and Magazine Editorial
  • Micheline Cangiano, Correspondance & Membership
  • Linda Feller, International Dolls Researcher & Librarian
  • Troy Finamore, Art Director
  • Chris Higgins, Period Room Technology
  • Sylvia Krajniak, Decorative Arts
  • Leisa Mullen, Administrative
  • Dan Pariser, Model Shipbuilder & Miniature Repairs
  • Vic Reiling, Curator
  • Kathleen Robbiani, Doll Doctor
  • Koren Stanislaus, Curatorial and Exhibit Design
  • Barbara Vivian, Office Manager