This PAI museum exhibit highlights the over forty year life of Kansas City’s acclaimed Hazelle Inc. puppet factory. The visual tour shares the development and operation of the world’s largest toy puppet factory created by Hazelle Hedges Rollins. 

The eclectic collection features original factory objects from 1934 to 1975. Items showcase the signature marionette and hand puppet styles of the company, inventive production designs, advertising memorabilia, and stage/costume designs. The informative display shares the story of one of the first successful women entrepreneurs in the country.

Visit this PAI treasure and learn more about a woman who influenced decades of American puppet and toy culture history. Workshops are available to paint and create a hand puppet from remaining original Hazelle factory inventory.

The hardback book “Hazelle & Her Marionettes “(creating the world’s largest puppet company) is available for purchase. The 200 page book is an in-depth chronicle of the factory over the years. It includes 140 full-color photos, puppet brochures, and detailed information on Hazelle’s personal world-class puppet collection and story. Contact The Puppetry Arts Institute for purchase details.

To learn more about Hazelle Rollins, visit hazelle.org.