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Come check out this really cool Storybook Dollhouse at Arlington Heights Memorial Library in Arlington Heights, IL!

This “Little Orphan Annie House” dollhouse was built and donated to the Lombard Historical Society at Carriage House behind the Victorian Cottage. The address is 23 W. Maple Street, Lombard IL 60148 so please check out for more information here.

The dollhouse is a replica of Little Orphan Annie‘s creator Harold Gray‘s house, which is actually called the Dr. LeRoy House.

The full-sized, three-story framed LeRoy House is located at 119 N. Main Street in Lombard. The Italianate architectural style house was built in 1881 for Dr. William LeRoy, a well-known physician, who specialized in making prosthetic limbs for Civil War veterans. He was originally a carpenter. The house was then bought by a local Lombard resident Harold Gray for his parents in 1890 (or 1900).

Harold Gray was an artist at Chicago Tribune at the time and in 1924, “Little Orphan Annie” cartoon strip was created. He lived there at that house when he dreamed up his story line in the study.

So this large Victorian house is now known as “Little Orphan Annie House”.

Little Orphan Annie was a fictional character who represented Ovaltine, which has connected the Village of Lombard to Villa Park in Illinois – by approximately 3.5 miles. Lombard is a now home of Dr. LeRoy House/Little Orphan Annie and Villa Park houses the Ovaltine Factory.

Since the real Dr. LeRoy House is not open to public, please contact the Lombard Historical Museum for more information about gaining entrance to this historical site.

In case if you are wondering; this wonderfully large dollhouse model was made by Woodline Products back in the late 1970’s and/or early 1980’s – made primarily of masonite, making it extremely sturdy. I’m not sure their vintage dollhouse model kit are available today…

I stumbled across this post on Facebook. It really hit home for me yet contacted this person to see if I could help. Maybe I could share her story here with you all.

Karla Nowling from Illinois, shared that she has been searching her beloved dollhouse her dad built for over 20 years. The photo she posted was taken during Christmas of 1985.

As a child, Karla wanted a big dollhouse and a doll cradle for her doll. Her adoptive dad, (who was also a war veteran) knew he was sick yet he made both with his own hands. Even the dollhouse wasn’t large but it was beautifully built. Karla vividly remembered that Christmas day when he gave it to her. She was so excited and proud.

The white wooden dollhouse was unique, due to the fact that the back roof could open up and the toys could be stored in it. The front had an opening of two small rooms – both upper and lower levels. Her dad sat and played with her. That was one of the last memories Karla had with him before he passed. That dollhouse (and the cradle) has meant everything to her.

So precious.

After few years has passed, Karla and her family lived in a small apartment yet her mother asked a friend, J. Baxter if they could store their belongings in her apartment storage room in the basement for some time being. J. Baxter and her brother owned Green Oaks apartment in Palos Hills, IL at the time.

Once they were stored, it was the last time Karla saw her dollhouse and cradle. Unfortunately, they were never recovered and the family is still not certain if they were actually stolen – or J. Baxter has sold it to someone else. Either way, it was a great loss for Karla.

The picture is the only thing Karla has of the dollhouse as she never stopped missing it. She would do anything to have that handmade miniature house returned – so she can touch it again and feel her dad’s presence. She still hopes to pass it down to her children one day.

Please contact us if you have seen anything like it – it’d mean a world to her and her family. Thank you.

Epiphany is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ.

The day of January 6th is Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ.

Well, my children’s miniature house (Elf Workshop/Sweet Shoppe) has a hidden message for us.

Notice the three toy soldiers facing east; they represent as the three wise kings with gifts.

Two wooden chairs: one is large and masculine… and the other one’s smaller and feminine. They both represent as Joseph and Mary.

A single ceiling light represents as the Star of Bethlehem.

The baby teddy bear … ✨

Here are the BEFORE and AFTER photos of the house!

It is always a good idea to include your children’s favorite things about Christmas & personalize it! A perfect family heirloom for many generations to come.

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Please click here for close-up pictures of the Ballroom! (Top Floor)

Please click here for close-up pictures of the Whimsical Elf Toy Workshop! (2nd Floor)

Please click here for close-up pictures of the Sweet Shoppe! (First Floor)

Here is my inspiration board before we determined the art direction for this old miniature house. Love the vintage Golden Books and their illustrations…

This one wooden Christmas ornament is THE holy grail of my holiday inspirations. See – it was hung in my parents’ Christmas tree every year since my early childhood years. The wooden vintage ornament, which I believe came from Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, MI.

Are you ready for the results? Click here!