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 an annual Halloween experience and makeshift doll-themed museum, originally hosted at a couple's private residence in Portland, Oregon's Piedmont neighborhood, in the United States. In 2017, the Doll Asylum moved to Astoria, Oregon.
Description and history
Mark Williams and Heidi Loutzenhiser originally decided to host an open house as a way to meet their new neighbors, having moved to the neighborhood in 2010. They considered a bird theme until Williams saw a doll leaning against a tree across the street from his house. He has said of the event's evolution and impact: "It started with just some family friends coming over, now we're on the internet. I just love seeing how they react to the little things we do out and about... it just makes me happy."
Since its inception, visitors have added "demented" and "macabre" dolls to the collection. By 2012, the couple had more than 700 dolls, and their collection passed the 1,000 doll threshold by 2015. The first 75, however, were left to Loutzenhiser when her mother died. Williams has said of the collection, "Dolls are perfect. Because they're cheap. And they creep people out. All of these are donated or bought from Goodwill or other thrift shops." The Doll Asylum is open at no cost for a limited time each Halloween season.
In 2017, the Doll Asylum moved to Astoria, Oregon, where open houses continue around Halloween.
