Event: Homeland Experience Day 2026

Little people at the Weisendorf Local History Museum

As part of Bavaria's Museum Experience Day, the Weisendorf Local History Museum is hosting an exhibition of tin figures. Most of these tiny figures are only 30 mm tall, but there are also display cases with figures of various sizes. Tin figures were originally a popular children's toy. In Franconia, there was a veritable cottage industry dedicated to their production. The figures were then painted by home workers. Tin figures have since become a creative hobby. Ralf Fischer and Thomas Mummert from the VFZ, the "Vereinigung Freie Zinnfigurensammler e.V." (Association of Independent Tin Figure Collectors), will be presenting over 1,000 figures on Sunday, 3 May 2026, from 2 to 5 p.m. The range of motifs is now very diverse. It is important to the exhibitors to show that there are not only tin soldiers, but also figures based on fairy tales, legends, comics and fantasy. In addition to scenes from ancient Egypt, there are also Spitzweg motifs and figures from the worlds of legends, fairy tales, comics and fantasy. Other focal points include famous personalities, hunting scenes and literature in pewter.

In addition to the tin figures on display, there are also casting demonstrations during opening hours, where you can see how a tin figure is made. The gentlemen from the VFZ also give tips on painting tin figures. There is also plenty of information material on the subject of tin figures. And if you would like to take a tin figure home with you as a souvenir, you can purchase both painted and unpainted figures.