The History

Louis Marx has a history nearly as colorful as his toys.  Described by many as an experienced businessman with the mind of child; Louis Marx’s ability to see into the minds of children around the world guided his toy creations and advertising efforts. 

Louis Marx founded his toy company in 1919.  During the height of the Great Depression in the 1930’s, when most people saw only financial despair, Marx saw opportunity.  Marx opened factories in Erie and Girard, PA, along with their largest facility in Glen Dale, West Virginia.   During the 1950’s, Louis Marx & Co. became the “largest toy manufacturer in the world,” with over one-third of all toys in the U.S. being Marx toys.  Described as “The Toy King,” Marx appeared on the cover of the 1955 Time Magazine.

In 1972, at the age of 76, Louis Marx sold his toy company.  Despite best efforts, no one had the gifted touch of Louis Marx and the company suffered a decline until the end.  While Louis Marx and his company are now a part of history, his toys & the joy they bring children, young & old, live on…

The Official Marx Toy Museum

Located just 1.5 miles from the Glen Dale Factory in “Historical” Moundsville, West Virginia, The Official Marx Toy Museum displays the toys of Louis Marx throughout five decades of production.  The museum is a dedication to Marx Toys, to Louis Marx the man and what he believed in, to the many Men and Women who dedicated their lives to toy production, and to the families who enjoyed Marx toys throughout their childhood.

A journey to The Official Marx Toy Museum will truly be a walk down memory lane.  A labyrinth of glass cabinets guides visitors through a display of thousands of Marx items from metal wind-ups to historical playsets, push toys to trains, dollhouses and service stations, Johnny West figures, Big Wheels, and much, much more.

The Marx Prototype Room will introduce visitors to the toy production process along with displays of original artwork, sketches, hard-carved prototypes, one-of-a-kind items, molds, and more.  Throughout the tour, the museum introduces visitors to several former factory workers, their accounts, and unique stories about a number of Marx toys. 

Special features include a life-size Western Town Street front, Transportation & Service Station area, Train Display, Prototype Room, and Vintage 1950’s Refreshment Area.

A visit to The Official Marx Toy Museum is both entertaining and educational, videos describing the history of Louis Marx, early television commercials, and original footage of the Glen Dale factory are shown throughout the museum.

The museum displays complete, quality toys, just as children would remember them on Christmas day, in an authentic 1950’s décor, which coincides with the golden age of Marx toys.  Louis Marx was known for his unwavering attention to detail, and the same can be said for the Marx museum.