In celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, staff members have left no stone unturned. They have showcased its expansive history and many services, even highlighting the smallest part of the collection: its Storybook Dollhouse, filled with miniatures.
Barbara Kenyon works to set up the Storybook Dollhouse, circa 1988
In this month’s edition of the library’s newsletter, the dollhouse was featured in a brief under the heading, Did you know? “The Storybook Dollhouse in Kids’ World was furnished in the style of the 1920s and contains more than 40 items to remind visitors of favorite children’s books and nursery rhymes. It debuted in 1988.”
In fact, the Victorian-styled dollhouse was purchased with funds donated in memory of Edith Lindsey, the first library’s first children’s librarian.
“When Edith died in 1987, her friends and family donated money to be used to purchase a special item for Youth Services,” says William Tolan, communications specialist at the library. “Because of Edith’s love of dolls, the library purchased the Storybook Dollhouse, reminiscent of houses built in Arlington Heights around the turn of the century.”
Breanna Marie Kob
However, furnishings for the dollhouse were purchased with funds donated in memory of another Arlington Heights resident, 14-year old Breanna Marie Kob. Breanna died Oct. 17, 1987, from a severe asthma attack, but her memory lives on in the Storybook Dollhouse.
In an interview with the Daily Herald, Breanna’s mother, Carol, said honoring her daughter’s memory at the library was fitting.
“She just loved Arlington Heights, especially the library,” Carol Kob said. “She spent many, many happy hours there. She just loved the library.”
Breanna’s memory remains visible in the dollhouse. In one of the upstairs bedrooms, a pink patchwork quilt covers the bed, with a little dog nearby. Patrons will spot a red and white hat — from Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat — on the chair, but a closer look reveals a portrait of Breanna, that hangs on the wall.
Local artist Will Hamm designed and decorated the glass window in the front door, while staff artist, Barbara Kenyon, provided the interior decorating and finishing details. What’s more, each room of the Storybook Dollhouse contains clues from famous books and stories found in the Kids’ World collection, including Charlotte’s Web, Goodnight Moon, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and more.
Barbara Kenyon outfits the dollhouse with furniture and items from storybooks.
Trixie Dantis, Youth Services Manager, says the dollhouse continues to draw the interest of patrons young and old, and that when Kids’ World underwent a refresh two years ago, patrons told her to make sure the dollhouse remained as a feature in the space.
“Young customers like to explore the different rooms, looking for characters and objects from their favorite books,” Dantis says. “They like to watch the lights turn on throughout the house when they choose the different rooms on the attached touchscreen. Grownups with and without children come back to visit the dollhouse, recalling their childhood experiences with it.”
Tolan says that while the library continues to evolve to meet the needs of the community, some things stay the same.
“No matter the era, the library has always made it a point to serve children,” Tolan says. “The Storybook Dollhouse is just one example of how our community has come together to provide support for the youth in Arlington Heights.
“The Dollhouse is one piece of many that make up the library’s expansive, 100-year history,” he adds. “For 100 years, the library has led with innovation, technology and outreach, all of which can be seen in the library’s new A Century of Stories exhibit, now on the library’s first floor through the end of August.”
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