Doll Asylum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Doll Asylum |
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Crib filled with dolls, 2015
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| Status | Active |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Location(s) | Piedmont, Portland, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 45°34′08″N 122°40′38″W / 45.56876°N 122.67719°W |
| Country | United States |
| Years active |
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The Doll Asylum is a unique and spooky place that pops up every year around Halloween. It's like a special museum filled with dolls! It first started in a couple's home in Portland, Oregon. Later, in 2017, the Doll Asylum moved to Astoria, Oregon, where it still opens its doors today.
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What is the Doll Asylum?
The Doll Asylum is an annual event. It's a temporary museum that shows off a huge collection of dolls. Many people find the dolls a little creepy or "demented," which adds to the fun Halloween vibe.
How the Doll Asylum Started
Mark Williams and Heidi Loutzenhiser created the Doll Asylum. They had just moved to a new neighborhood in Portland in 2010. They wanted to meet their new neighbors. So, they decided to host an open house.
At first, they thought about a bird theme. But then Mark Williams saw a doll leaning against a tree. This gave him an idea! He thought dolls would be perfect. He said dolls are cheap and can "creep people out."
Growing the Doll Collection
The first 75 dolls in the collection belonged to Heidi's mother. After her mother passed away, Heidi kept them. Since then, visitors have added many more dolls. They often bring their own "demented" dolls to join the collection.
By 2012, the couple had over 700 dolls. By 2015, their collection grew to more than 1,000 dolls! Most of these dolls are either donated or bought from thrift stores.
Visiting the Doll Asylum
The Doll Asylum is open for a short time each Halloween season. It's completely free to visit. Mark Williams enjoys seeing how people react to the displays. He says it makes him happy.
In 2017, the Doll Asylum moved from Portland to Astoria, Oregon. It continues to host open houses around Halloween in its new location.
See also
