Walter Röhler, born in DA in 1911, actually wanted to become theatre director, but had to be content with the profession of a teacher. His passion for the theatre prompted him to build a home stage and to perform plays himself. In addition, he started early to build a collection of original sheets for the assembly of paper theatres and to collect fully assembled stages.

In 1994, the collection was donated to the Verein Nachbarschaftsheim Darmstadt e.V.. The association has since managed the collection on behalf of the City of Darmstadt. Since September 1997 the paper theatre collection has been housed in the municipal building at Darmstrasse 2 and is open to the public. It comprises 114 paper theatres, 77 complete sets of figures and scenery, over 9,000 paper theatre sheets and a specialist library and much more.

Opening times of the collection always up-to-date on the website: www.papiertheater.info/darmstadt.html

In any case, it is advisable to contact Ms. Wahnrau in advance of a visit (contact details on the website).