A Legacy of Artisanal Toys in Patagonia
Once a bustling artisanal toy workshop, the enchanting Brintrup Hertling Toy Museum is now closed to the public. In its heyday, it was the pride of the town, if not the entire region.
1950s Patagonia: Toys Were a Luxury
In the 1950s and 60s, Patagonia was still considered the end of the earth. Luxury items, especially children’s toys, were hard to come by in such a remote place. But when word spread about Alejandro Brintrup and Giaconda Hertling’s handcrafted toys, every child in the area soon longed for what became known as a “Brintrup Hertling” toy.
The Birth of the Brintrup Hertling Workshop
To meet the growing demand, Alejandro left his job at a sugar beet factory and moved his family into an old warehouse on the then outskirts of town. Thus, the Brintrup Hertling Toy Workshop was born. The couple worked side by side, crafting toys that delighted generations of children. Many of those toys are still tucked away in attics, waiting to be brought down for grandchildren to play with—and they do.
“Para Cada Niño, Un Juguete”
The workshop’s motto, “para cada niño, un juguete” (for every child, a toy), was a reflection of the couple’s dedication to ensuring that no child was left without a toy. The workshop became a magical place, the children’s own version of Santa’s workshop, right in their town.
Timeless Toys
There were trucks, ducks, and puppies on strings. Tree swings, rocking horses, and bright red fire engines. Little sailboats yearning for water, and beady-eyed rabbit carts, perfect for carrying marbles. Each toy sat sweetly on its shelf, as if waiting patiently for a pair of small hands to lift it up and take it home.
The Museum’s Closure Marks the End of an Era
Sadly, production ceased when Alejandro and Giaconda grew old and passed away. Their daughter, Magali Brintrup Hertling, kept the spirit alive by transforming the workshop into a museum in 2017. But now, she too has retired, marking the end of an era.
A time capsule of small-town Patagonian life, the Brintrup Hertling Toy Museum will be sorely missed, and its toys fondly remembered.
Magali Brintrup Hertling: The Keeper of Stories
“So, tell me, what would you like to know about the workshop?” Magali asked during what would turn out to be both my first and last visit. She settled into her chair with the ease of someone who had told the story a thousand times, yet was still happy to share it once more. And lucky for me, she did.
