Chelsea, MI: The Chelsea Teddy Bear Co. is opening a new Toy Museum in a weekend long event on July 25-27, 2008. The Toy Museum is a new addition to the company's downtown Chelsea factory complex, and is being billed as one of the finest toy museums in the United States. On exhibit will be many rare and valuable toys that trace the history of toys around the world. The museum curator is the renowned author and toy expert Ken Yenke. Admission to the museum is free.
The exhibit will include many very rare and valuable antique toys. One teddy bear on display in Chelsea has only one other like it that is known to exist, and that bear is on display in the Smithsonian. Museum curator Ken Yenke has this to say about the new toy museum; "The Chelsea Toy Museum will not be the largest in the world, but it will be one of the best. Visitors will be able to get a very good idea about the history and evolution of toys from very early historical pieces up to the 1950's. You will see items that are seldom seen and possibly not on display anywhere else" The teddy bear has been the most popular toy in the world since it was first introduced in 1906, so teddy bears will obviously be a big part of the attraction, and some of the best early examples from companies like Steiff and Bing will be represented in the museum.
Of particular importance to Michigan and to this area in particular is the fact that the inventor of the Greatest Toy in the World- the teddy bear- lived in Jackson, Michigan. His name was Richard Steiff, and he continued to manage the German toy company Steiff Gmbh long after he moved here. Visitors will enjoy learning about this man who made perhaps the biggest single contribution in the history of toys. "He's right up there with Santa Claus", says company owner Bob Turner.
The grand opening coincides with Chelsea Summer Fest that weekend, and lots of other fun family events are scheduled throughout downtown Chelsea. As a promotion for the grand opening, the company is planning to break its' own world record for the largest teddy bear mosaic, scheduled for Saturday, July 26 at noon.
Company Profile: The Chelsea Teddy Bear Company offers free factory tours to the public on Saturdays where visitors can learn how a teddy bear is made. A factory outlet store is also attached to the large complex and is open every day of the week. The Chelsea Teddy Bear Co. is located in downtown Chelsea at 400 N. Main Street in the historic Clock Tower complex. To contact them, call (734) 433-5499 or on the web at www.chelseateddybear.com
