On the way back from Pennsylvania last month my sister and I visited the
Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester NY.
On display in the dollhouse section was this Tynietoy Townhouse complete with garden and Tynietoy furniture and accessories.
Can you imagine the thrill of being in a museum and finding the same item that was waiting in the trunk of this white Jeep in the parking lot?
My white Jeep. With my new (old) Tynietoy Townhouse in the trunk.
It was like one of those dreams where you finally find a long coveted treasure after an arduous search and you actually get to keep it.
But this was no dream, even if it felt like one. Here is my Tynietoy house in the back of the car. rubbing shoulders with the Christian Hacker dollhouse and the red roof Gottschalk!!
It was surreal. I was telling the other museum visitors that I had that same house in my car! In the parking lot! Right now!!
They were very kind about being accosted by the crazy lady taking pictures of this house and rattling on about the one in her car.
I was so excited!!
My house is not quite so pristine as this Strong one, and of course, I don't have the incredible garden that one could buy for the house. But it was wonderful to see these elusive items in person and take pictures for comparison.
My house is missing it's front door, so it is nice to see an original here. I am lucky to have the over the door window though.
The garden could be purchased separately from the house for around $25, back in the 1930's. Isn't it lovely?
My house doesn't have interior doors on the main rooms, so I enjoyed seeing them on this house.
I love the design on yellow painted wing chair.
I still haven't managed to get any Tynietoy lamps so it was a treat to see a real one. Now I know what to look for.
The upper and lower halls are almost exactly like mine. I love the painting on the side of the stairs that represents paneling.
Another pretty bedroom with a different fabric on the canopy bed and a different design painted on the wing chair.
My house has the fireplaces on the back wall of the living room and dining room. This house has the fireplaces on the end walls.
The fireplaces also have paint to represent paneling.
Here is a shot of the stair paneling.
The kitchen is sparsely furnished with a Tynietoy sink, table, chair and stool.
The room above the kitchen. This room is often used as a nursery or a bathroom, but they have it as a third bedroom.
I hadn't been at the Strong museum in about 30 years. It sure has changed. Back then it was in a 1900 red brick building and it was called The Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum. All I remember from that visit wss the incredible collection of antique dolls.
Now it is an incredible place for young families. There are interactive programs and activities and family-friendly amenities. It also has the world’s largest collection of toys, dolls, games, and other items that celebrate play.
While our main interest was the antique doll collection and the dollhouses I was very impressed with the museum. I would recommend it to all.
