Toy Museum Housed In A Former Church
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Like many farm toy collectors, Conrad Malsam may have gone a bit overboard with his hobby. His friends even say it’s become like a religion to him. That’s not because he worships his collection but because it’s now located in a former church that Malsam bought to display his wares.
Malsam began collecting by accident, although his wife might say otherwise. In March 1991 his wife was in labor with their first child and Malsam hurriedly drove them to the nearest hospital in Aberdeen, 60 miles away. When they arrived at the hospital, Jacquelin and the baby had other thoughts, and the delivery was delayed. Not wanting the couple to sit around and wait for things to progress, a nurse suggested they might want to visit the Aberdeen Toy Show and walk around until the delivery was closer.
As the couple walked around the show, Malsam took interest in five model tractors. He was ready to buy them when he got a tug on his arm from his wife saying, “It’s time to go back to the hospital.” A short time later their healthy son, Christopher, was born. Malsam, not to be denied his purchase, returned to the show and bought the tractors.
As Malsam’s collection grew, he rented a warehouse to store them and when the Catholic church in their town closed, he purchased the building and remodeled it into a toy museum.
Malsam and his son removed the wooden pews and made them into side wall shelving to hold smaller boxed items. Enclosed glass shelving from a local store now sits in front of the altar, displaying unboxed toys. The main part of the church holds large storage racks that neatly display row after row of colorful pedal tractors. Their collection also includes many farm implements. One of his most unique models is a Farmall M with an American Coleman grader.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Conrad Malsam, Hosmer, S. Dak.
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Toy Museum Housed In A Former Church FARM HOME Toys/Games Like many farm toy collectors Conrad Malsam may have gone a bit overboard with his hobby His friends even say it’s become like a religion to him That’s not because he worships his collection but because it’s now located in a former church that Malsam bought to display his wares Malsam began collecting by accident although his wife might say otherwise In March 1991 his wife was in labor with their first child and Malsam hurriedly drove them to the nearest hospital in Aberdeen 60 miles away When they arrived at the hospital Jacquelin and the baby had other thoughts and the delivery was delayed Not wanting the couple to sit around and wait for things to progress a nurse suggested they might want to visit the Aberdeen Toy Show and walk around until the delivery was closer As the couple walked around the show Malsam took interest in five model tractors He was ready to buy them when he got a tug on his arm from his wife saying “It’s time to go back to the hospital ” A short time later their healthy son Christopher was born Malsam not to be denied his purchase returned to the show and bought the tractors As Malsam’s collection grew he rented a warehouse to store them and when the Catholic church in their town closed he purchased the building and remodeled it into a toy museum Malsam and his son removed the wooden pews and made them into side wall shelving to hold smaller boxed items Enclosed glass shelving from a local store now sits in front of the altar displaying unboxed toys The main part of the church holds large storage racks that neatly display row after row of colorful pedal tractors Their collection also includes many farm implements One of his most unique models is a Farmall M with an American Coleman grader Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Conrad Malsam Hosmer S Dak
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