You don't have to be Jewish to love dollhouses.
It's that time of year - Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights.
I have blogged about Bobbie King time and again, usually every December when Hanukkah rolls around. This year, Hanukkah is early, and my post about Ms. King is going to be early, too.
The dollhouses I am about to show you were owned by a woman, Bobbie King, a mother of 10, and the member of the congregation that runs Hanukkah House, a museum open every December in the city of Binghamton, New York. Sadly, Hanukkah House was not opened in 2020, and it won't be open this year, either, due to COVID-19.
But we must remember the connection of these dollhouses to a tragedy.
Bobbie King,
a woman who taught English to immigrants as one of her post-retirement
careers, died on April 3, 2009, along with 13 of her students, gunned
down in cold blood by a former student of the American Civil Association (ACA) organization where she
taught. She was the oldest of the 13 victims of that mass shooting in Binghamton, New York.
This tragedy was one of hundreds of mass shootings in our country, both before and after 2009. It's not only shootings, either. More recently, it is also car attacks, such as the one in Waukesha, Wisconsin several days ago, when a SUV plowed through the community's annual parade.
Mrs. King's family has permitted a display of her dollhouses and dolls each year since the shooting. Until COVID, it had become a tradition. I'd like to carry it forward this year with pictures from previous years.
Mrs. King's dollhouse (and doll) collection were well known in the community. She would sometimes give dolls to the children of the community.
Enjoy these dollhouses.
Bobbie King knew well that we must remember the lessons of history. There are many lessons in the life and death of Bobbie King, and the others who died at the American Civic Association on April 3, 2009.
Today, I remember a woman who gave much to this community. I hope you enjoy this collection.
...delightful.
ReplyDeleteI have always love dollhouses and miniatures. Thank you for sharing the stories of these!
ReplyDeleteI forgot about dollhouses! I do like them so much! /Carol C
ReplyDeleteA wonderful tribute to her: your words, your pictures, and the actual doll house display.
ReplyDeleteYou write about this every year, and every year I am amazed at the story.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful that Bobbie King's family allowed a display of her dollhouses following her death. We should not forget Bobbie King and others like her.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting tribute to Bobbie King. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBeauty from tragedy. Thank you for telling me about this amazing woman!
ReplyDeleteAnd I LOVE dollhouses!
Great dollhouses. Tragic story. Sadly, that tragic story is becoming way too commonplace.
ReplyDeleteDoll house, these are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
I do remember learning about the shooting from you, hear last year. Not something I'd ever know about before. So tragic.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful doll houses. I love looking at miniatures! Tiny kitchen items really get me!
Beautiful dollhouses. Sad story though.
ReplyDeleteInteresting doll houses.
ReplyDelete