The collection includes pre-Columbian artifacts, specifically ceramic dolls from the Moche, Chimú, and Virú cultures.
The building hosting the museum is a protected historical mansion that also served as a site for Peru's independence movement activities.
The collection was established by Peruvian painter Gerardo Chávez to preserve cultural history through mundane objects.
It features a significant array of 19th-century mechanical toys and miniature soldiers that reflect industrialization.
The exhibits are arranged chronologically, allowing visitors to track the transition from artisanal handmade toys to mass-produced items.
The Trujillo Toy Museum, located in the historic Casa de la Emancipación, houses a private collection spanning from the pre-Columbian era to the mid-20th century. The exhibits are curated by Gerardo Chavez and trace the evolution of childhood play across distinct historical periods. The collection features Moche and Chimú era ceramic toys alongside European dolls, tin soldiers, and vintage board games. Visitors can observe shifting cultural values through the craftsmanship and materials of items from the Colonial and Republican periods. The mansion setting provides an authentic architectural backdrop for the display of these artifacts. It remains one of the few museums in South America dedicated exclusively to the history of toys.
The internal central courtyard of the mansion, which features colonial-style woodwork and traditional Trujillo architecture.
Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding historic district to see other colonial-era architecture.
Speak with the on-site attendants who are often knowledgeable about the provenance of specific pieces in the collection.
Do not mistake it for a modern children's play area; this is a historical research and conservation site.
Open daily throughout the year, though hours may be reduced on public holidays.
Maintain a quiet volume and avoid touching glass display cases to preserve delicate artifacts.
