It has become a holiday tradition for me to feature the miniature houses - dollhouses if you will - of Bobbie King, which are displayed at a seasonal museum called Hanukkah House in Binghamton, New York.
Let me take you into this miniature world, or memories in little boxes (Thank you, blogger Alice Gerard, for inspiring the format of this year's post).
Why are these houses special?
Another view.
A miniature in white.
But first, you may want to stop off at the porch.
Now, take a look inside.
How about a closeup?
Or two?
So, who was Bobbie King? Why are her houses special?
Roberta King was a member of the congregation that runs the museum and mother of 10 who taught English for immigrant adult education classes at Binghamton's American Civic Association - until the day she was murdered, with 12 of her students and co workers. April 3, 2009 is a day no one in Binghamton will ever forget.
Her family refused to surrender to hate. Instead, they continue to permit Hanukkah House to display her dollhouses (and extensive doll collection) each year for the community to enjoy.
If you are in the Binghamton area, I invite you to visit Hanukkah House. In this season of hate there is no better thing to do. If you aren't in our area, there may be a museum or exhibit that you could visit that is similar. We must not forget how easily hate can grow and destroy.
I plan, later this month, to show that exhibit and other items on display at Hanukkah House.
Have you ever collected dolls? Or worked on miniature houses as a hobby?
I was a tomboy and not much into dolls, though I do have a Toni doll and a Revlon doll in a box downstairs. I vaguely remember a doll house, but maybe it was my sister's. I saw a fantastic doll house in the Rijksmuseum.
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit Hanukkah House to see both the miniature homes and to commemorate Roberta King
ReplyDeleteI never heard of this event. Thanks for the share!
ReplyDeleteYou've written about this before, I remember. Such beautiful work. And such a sad story. We must not give in to hate.
ReplyDeleteOh, I so so love doll houses and these pictures are so beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a heartbreaking way to die. So glad her family was able to push past their pain and allow this exhibit to continue.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had these. So beautiful makes me want to be a child again :)
ReplyDeleteThis is new to me and heartbreaking too. Glad that the family let the exhibition to continue!
ReplyDeleteMenaka Bharathi has recently published http://simpleindianmom.in/coconut-oil-equals-mothers-milk/
What beautiful houses! Thank you for sharing these pictures and the history behind them. They remind me of the Christmas village houses my Mom used to set up over the holiday season - not accurate miniatures, but meaningful and now sentimental since my Mom has passed away.
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