Entry No. 40 — the Phoenix file — filed under: dolls
Arizona Doll & Toy Museum
A century-plus of antique and vintage dolls, tin toys, mechanical wind-ups, and early board games packed into a small historic house in Glendale's old Catlin Court district — open only four days a week and easy to miss entirely.
The story
Founded in Phoenix back in 1987 by Inez McCrary, this collection eventually migrated to a century-old residential cottage tucked along West Myrtle Avenue in Glendale’s Catlin Court historic district. From the sidewalk, you’d easily mistake it for a neighbor's house. Cross the porch, however, and you step directly into a dense, century-spanning chronicle of childhood entertainment—and the slightly eerie evolution of play.
The room-by-room layout packs thousands of artifacts into tight quarters: porcelain antiques, tin mechanical wind-ups, early board games, and hand-built miniature room displays reminiscent of the famous Thorne rooms. There’s even a fully reconstructed vintage schoolroom complete with antique desks and chalkboards. It’s not a polished corporate exhibit; it’s an authentic, obsessive time capsule of how children entertained themselves long before glowing glass screens took over.
What it's like
Arriving feels more like visiting a private collector’s home than a public institution. You'll navigate narrow doorways and quiet bedrooms lined with glass cases, where hundreds of vintage eyes seem to monitor your progress. The footprint is small, and operating hours are restricted to just four days a week, making a quick schedule check mandatory before you head out. Plan on spending around an hour browsing room to room, and don't miss the small gift shop in the back if you want to pick up vintage-style odds and ends.
The move: Trade off picking a favorite doll or toy from each decade as you move room to room, then browse the little gift shop for something genuinely old-fashioned.
- 📍 Glendale (Catlin Court)
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 5847 W Myrtle Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Martin Auto Museum and Event Center — Pair tiny antique tin wind-up cars with over 170 full-sized classic and vintage automobiles just five miles north in Glendale.
- Curious Nature — Trade century-old doll faces and miniature rooms for framed butterflies, skulls, and wet specimens down in the Melrose District.
- Cobra Arcade Bar — Contrast 19th-century mechanical playthings with glowing 1980s and 90s arcade cabinets in Downtown Phoenix.
Good to know
When was the Arizona Doll & Toy Museum founded?
It was established in Phoenix in 1987 by Inez McCrary before eventually relocating to its current Glendale historic home.
What specific items are on display?
The collection includes antique porcelain and vintage dolls, mechanical tin wind-up toys, early board games, miniature dollhouse rooms, and an authentic historic schoolroom setup.
How long does a typical visit take?
Because the museum is housed inside a small historic bungalow, most visitors spend 45 to 60 minutes exploring the rooms.
Is the museum open daily?
No, it is open only four days a week on a limited schedule, so double-check current open days before traveling.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Wikipedia · experienceglendaleaz.com
last checked: 2026-07-19