This unique family museum has evocative and atmospheric displays of teddy bears from throughout the last century. The earliest teddy bear on display dates back to 1906. It was one of the very first teddy bears to be made, and is based on the original pattern of the first teddy bear made by the Ideal Toy Co. The origins of the teddy bear date back to 1902 when President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear. The story inspired Rose Michtom to make a plush toy bear and put it in her shop window with the label “Teddy’s Bear”. And so the teddy bear was born.

There are numerous bears of all shapes and sizes on show in the museum from throughout the hundred year history of the teddy bear, right up to artist bears and award winners of today. Famous bears such as Rupert Bear, Winnie the Pooh and Paddington are also present, as are many TV favourites

The museum is set in the ‘home’ of Edward Bear, which has a pecularily Edwardian feel to it. Edward Bear is a human sized teddy bear who, with his extended family of people size bears, have been avid teddy bear collectors! Grandma Bear and Edward Junior are there to greet you in the reception room. In the living room Grandpa Ted is asleep in his favourite armchair whilst uncle Baloo plays music to Bearnice. In his study Edward Bear is reviewing his collection of teddy bears. The whole visit is great nostalgic fun and a chance to enter the enchanting world of the teddy bear in this family museum.

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