Blogging for our dollhouse miniatures enthusiasts!
I visited Hancock Historical Museum in Findlay Ohio today and saw my former teacher, Mrs. Deb Wickerham, who works there as an Education Coordinator.
Teaching is Mrs. Wickerham’s true passion, showcased by the fact that she retired from schooling after 32+ years. I’m very proud to have been taught by a literal Award Winning teacher (Ohio Teacher of the Year in 2008)! Not only that, but Mrs. Wickerham has also done so much for our community, especially for our American Veterans. She served as a fantastic director for Flag City Honor Flight and so forth. Amazing. I’m blessed to have had her as my teacher from 1984 to 1988 at Chamberlin Hill Elementary.
Hancock County Museum is stunning. It showcases the rich history of Findlay, Ohio with a grace I’ve never seen! Please go visit when you can!
I loved the fact that they had this grand display of the Columbian (Doll) House right in the center of the museum.
Thank you, Mrs. W! You are everyone’s teacher and a true role model.
I could not believe it – I actually found a rare MARX Sears 1962 #4073 Colonial Mansion with a built-in FALLOUT BOMB SHELTER Doll House on FB — for only $75!
Obviously, that seller didn’t know the history or its true value… let alone one of the rarest of all MARX tin dollhouses! The ONE with the illustrated fallout bomb shelter instead of a plain ol’ garage.
President John F. Kennedy has advised American families in 1961 to build bomb shelters to protect themselves from the possibility of atomic fallout as a resulting factor determining the Cold War. Many built bomb shelters within their homes soon after.
This particular Marx dollhouse model was produced in limited quality during 1962 for only one year. Unfortunately, it was not a big seller. So as a result, it is extremely difficult to find them today.
It is truly a piece of history with rare features:
1. Fallout Bomb Shelter (with a first-aid kit, emergency items, etc)
2. Patio above the bomb shelter
3. Breezeway
4. Recreational Room
5. Bay window front
6. Dutch entry door – it is missing the actual door.
7. Chimney on roof remains intact
This house model is truly a piece of our American history. Please note I no longer have this in my possession.
I found this beautiful antique dollhouse in an older town of Evanston, IL.
Dimensions: 30″ H x 36.5″ W x 18″ D.
I asked Ann Meehan the dollhouse expert via email about this one. She replied that Dian Zillner wrote a number of books dealing with commercial and homemade houses. After finding a section in the books, Meehan dated it in the 1930’s – 1940’s as they were hard to work with open back houses – if you push them against the wall.
As much I wanted to give it a deep cleaning or give it a fresh coat of paint, it will only diminish the value and its true history.
I often wondered who the original owner was – and whatever happened to him/her. Because of the beautiful green & gold Art Deco floorings, was she from Europe? Ireland maybe?
Please feel free to comment – even I no longer have this house.
HOUSE MINIATURES 