Founded by Antonio Pasqualino, who passed away in 1995, a medical doctor, distinguished anthropologist, and scholar of the history and folk traditions of Sicily, the Museum is located inside the former Hotel de France, a building of great architectural and historical interest, in the heart of Palermo, a short walk from the monumental Piazza Marina.

The collections, the result of the founder's intense research activity, house puppets, puppet theaters, furnishings, posters, and marionettes from numerous European countries and the Far East: such as France, Spain, Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, and many others.