Stumble It!
The Ash Grove Doll House
Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 04:11PM Thanks to all you supporters of my Chicken venture! This city girl turning country is sure to meet some bumps in the road so stay tuned!
Its been a bizarre week and yesterday was no exception. I received notice from My Pet Chicken that the chicks won't be shipped now until the 14th of June (as opposed to the 7th) so that sets my summer plans back a week (but thats ok). I smacked my ankle into a metal easel that was sitting on the classroom floor and got sea-sick from a particular onion and potato soup. All that said, I've been feeling really fatigued and think I may not have caught up with myself from the frenzy of last week.
Like I've mentioned here before, some of the best medicine is simply having a new creative project to sink my teeth into. And though I have more than my share of those right now, one in particular that I'm anxious to share with you all is a real honor that has just been bestowed upon me.
My mother-in law, Ellen Emery's doll house handmade by her grandfather George H. Clarkson
I've been named the family shepherd/ guardian of a priceless family heirloom, my mother-in-law's childhood dollhouse. My mother-in-law is Ellen Emery, and this dollhouse was hand-made by her grand-father George H. Clarkson. George was a wonderful wood-worker. For most of Ellen's life the dollhouse has been in her parents home, the Ash Grove in Ithaca NY. It arrived to my home this weekend straight from the Ash Grove and it is in need of some serious TLC, which is exactly what I plan to give it.
The house survived the four hour car drive and some years of dust-collecting. It is fully wired for electronic lights. I'm so excited to get in there replace some badly aged carpets, clean up all the furniture, revive, and refresh everything. I'll be sure share my breathing some new life into this beautiful handmade structure with you all - and try to maintain its original integrity and authenticity for its true owner.
untouched dollhouse residents and furniture
a stove from the original set of furniture in the house
An Organ in need of some TLC
a ramshackled room 
a magnetic chessboard set
the second floor stairwell-Ciao Amarettogirl
Antiques, doll house restoration, doll houses in Design Life, Thoughts, family
Reader Comments (7)
What an amazing dollhouse with such a wonderful history! Can't wait to see what you do with it!
Thanks for letting me know the link was broken. I think I fixed it, but wanted to test it by commenting again! :)
I love these pics of the house. I am so glad you are in charge of restoration. My grandmother loved this house and was its most recent caretaker...the two of you had such a special connection both being makers and I treasure the times you shared.
That last photo is amazing; the light makes it look like a photo of a real house.
Also, re: chickens - I am so excited to see how you go with this. I'm thinking of getting a couple of chickens too.
marisol you are lucky to have that dollhouse in your care! i can't wait to see the end result.
oh and guess what? IT"S HERE!! ;)
this is great! i always love seeing things like this get past down. good luck restoring it, i'm sure you'll have a lot of fun!
P.S.
Antique's road show....just throwing it out there :)
That's amazing! I love hoe real everything looks in the house what a honor was bestoed upon you! <3 It's adorable!!!!! ^.^