The Legacy of Handcrafted Toys and the End of an Era
Once a beloved artisanal toy workshop, the Brintrup Hertling Toy Museum in Patagonia is now closed to the public. This toy museum, once the pride of the town and a symbol of local craftsmanship, celebrated the rich tradition of handmade toys that delighted generations of children.
The 1950s in Patagonia – A Time When Toys Were a Luxury
In the 1950s and 60s, Patagonia was a remote region where luxury items—anything beyond the essentials, including children’s toys—were hard to come by. When word spread about Alejandro Brintrup and Giaconda Hertling’s handcrafted toys, every child in the area soon longed for a “Brintrup Hertling” creation. These toys became cherished treasures, highly sought after by families throughout the region.
The Birth of the Brintrup Hertling Workshop
To meet growing demand, Alejandro left his job at a sugar beet factory and moved his family into an old warehouse on what was then the outskirts of Puerto Varas. Thus, the Brintrup Hertling Toy Workshop was born. The couple worked side by side, crafting toys not only for local children but also sending them as far as Santiago, where they captured the attention of the capital’s young hearts and earned further widespread recognition.
“Para Cada Niño, Un Juguete” – For Every Child, a Toy
Their workshop’s motto, “para cada niño, un juguete” (“for every child, a toy”), reflected their dedication to ensuring no child went without. It became a magical place—like a local version of Santa’s workshop—where children could expect to receive their own special toy, as if their letters to Santa had come true. This magic enchanted children for years and seemed to permeate the very bones of the workshop with echoes of happy laughter and delight. It still does.
The Museum’s Closure: The End of an Era
After Alejandro and Giaconda passed away, their daughter, Magali Brintrup Hertling, transformed the workshop into a museum in 2017. But now, with her retirement, the museum has closed its doors, marking the end of an era for this beloved piece of Patagonian history.
A Time Capsule of Patagonian Life
The Brintrup Hertling Toy Museum was more than just a museum—it was a time capsule of small-town Patagonian life. While the museum is no longer open, the legacy of these handcrafted toys will remain tucked away in collective memory. The toys themselves, cherished keepsakes and passed down the years for children and then grandchildren to play with—and they do.
Magali Brintrup Hertling – Keeping Stories Alive
“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.
For more on local culture, read Local Heart’s post on the Huasos of the Andes, the cowboys of southern Chile.
