Doll’s houses, also known as dollhouses, were not originally intended for children. In the 17th and early 18th century they were status symbols, stored in ornate cabinets and crafted and furnished with precious materials. 

 

By the 19th century the tiny rooms had moved from cabinets to miniature houses and had become  children's playthings.

 

The Diss Doll's House was probably built by a local cabinet maker, between about 1864 and 1875.  It was a favourite plaything of the ten daughters of the rector. The little house was larger than what we see now. It had a miniature garden and probably also stables and a coach house, and was modelled on Diss rectory. Larger doll's houses, which can be seen in stately homes are also often built to resemble the building which they occupy.

 

The contents of the rectory were sold in 1899 but the sales catalogue did not list the doll's house, although it was to provide valuable information which aided its survival.

In 1930 the doll's house turned up again in a Methodist church jumble sale. William Bennett, a foreman at a local building works, bought it for ten shillings and sixpence (now worth about £43). It was a gift for his daughter Evelyn, who was ill.

 

Evelyn grew up to marry an American airman, John Mabry, who was stationed at Shipham Airfield during World War II. She took her doll's house with her when she started a new life in the USA.

 

Later Evelyn painted the walls white, and bought miniature furniture in the fifties, sixties and seventies for her children and grandchildren. This furniture is now also on display in Diss Museum as part of the house's history.

 

She didn't forget Diss, and when the girls in her family were all grown up, she offered it to the town's museum and it was shipped back in 1994.

 

After 120 years as a plaything, and two Atlantic crossings, this very welcome addition needed some attention.  A local craftsman, Clifford Bird, gently removed the cream paint from the walls and proceeded to decorate and furnish it. He used illustrations of the rectory furniture, listed in the 1899 sales catalogue, to produce miniature tables, chairs and cabinets. 

 

Maurice Brocklehurst, a skilled local artist, also worked from the catalogue, producing miniature versions of the paintings which once hung in the rectory.

 

After two years work, the Victorian Doll's House was revitalised and ready for display in its new home in Diss Museum.

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The Doll's House exterior is reminiscent of Diss Old Rectory. The front door has six panels: six windows have hood moulds and label stops, the roof has imitation pegged tiles and two chimneys with oversailing caps.

 

It opens into four rooms, each with fireplace and mantelpiece. The contents when donated had furniture and dolls from the  1960s and 1970s which are now in a display drawer. The current display shows Victorian style furniture.