This unique dollhouse was created between 1870-1880 by Elizabeth Prangley.  She  fully furnished it and it formed part of a set which included a barn, fence, miniature animals and people.   The furniture was all handmade. The shells used in covering the house were reportedly collected in the Delaware area.  It was at one time on display at the Western Fair in London and in the ladies’ lounge in the American Hotel in Strathroy.  Elizabeth was related to  J. W. Prangley who was a prominent business man in Strathroy and at one time owned the American Hotel (see map and postcard images of the American Hotel).

When it was donated to the museum it was without any furniture and a call went out to the community for someone who could help furnish this unique piece.  Con and Irene Steele of Strathroy were able to recreate the interior of the house. First they researched Victorian furniture designs and then they were able to design and scale the furniture to fit into the house.   The one major issue was that the dollhouse did not come apart so the furniture had to be manoeuvred into place through the windows and doors.  All of the accessories were also hand-made including the braided mat, the doilies and bedding.

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