Helmut Schwarz died unexpectedly: Nuremberg mourns the head of the toy museum

Created: 02/23/2022, 16:19

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Helmut Schwarz with a personalized edition of the “Crazy Labyrinth” on the occasion of his retirement in 2014. © Urs Latus/Toy Museum Nuremberg

He was considered a pioneer, friend and colleague: Dr.

Helmut Schwarz died on February 20th.

He leaves behind a cultural landscape that brought recognition to Nuremberg. 

Nuremberg – He was a man who culturally advanced the city of Nuremberg, his network included important toy manufacturers.

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Helmut Schwarz, the former head of the toy museum in Nuremberg, died without warning on Sunday (February 20) at the age of 69.

The city of Nuremberg writes this in an obituary.

His Nuremberg colleagues see him as a pioneer with a penchant for digitalization, who has brought the Toy Museum international renown over the past 20 years.  

Nuremberg toy museum: 20 years of change thanks to Dr.

Helmut Schwarz 

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Helmut Schwarz was born on September 5, 1952 in Gerolzhofen in Lower Franconia.

He studied history and English in Erlangen, Berlin and Munich.

He wrote his doctoral thesis on the history of industrialization in Forchheim.

From 1983 to 1994 he was a research associate at what was then the Center for Industrial Culture.

During this time he helped found the Museum Association.

This also includes the Nuremberg Toy Museum, which opened in 1971.

In 1994 he became head of the Toy Museum and ran it for 20 years. 

During this period he implemented various projects such as the children's play area on the top floor, the museum playground with a café or the virtual depot.

He was always open to new projects and made the museum permanently interesting for young and old - not least because of his special cooperation partners, who brought him international recognition. 

Nuremberg museums: With Dr.

Black, the cultural landscape loses an expert and friend 

He also published numerous writings on topics related to the history of the toy industry.

In 2019 one of his most important books was published: “Spielräume.

From the Bayer Collection to the Nuremberg Toy Museum”.

Without being intrusive, he shared his expertise - his colleagues see him "not only as a proven expert, but also as a friend and colleague who is valued by all," as Mayor Prof. Dr.

Julia Lehner reports.