Archival Items

The Jacobson Dollhouse

Donna's Dollhouse
The Jacobson dollhouse, "Donna's Dollhouse" is part of the Jacobson Collection, a recent donation to the Coventry Historical Society, and the crown jewel of "My Grandparents' Toys" display. It was built in 1976 by Walter Jacobson, of Coventry, for his daughter, Donna,. The dollhouse is a replica of the White/Jacobson family homestead on Cooper Lane, scaled one inch to the foot. It stands 29 inches tall, is open on two sides, has 9 rooms, and is electrified.

The dollhouse took Walter Jacobson about a year to build in his mother's kitchen on South Street. His wife, Jeanne remembers the dollhouse being moved on and off the kitchen table so meals could be served. The dollhouse floors are made from oak, and cherry trees, found on the property and a chestnut board Jacobson found in the attic in Cooper Lane house. Although this was a labor of love, Jacobson said if he had to do it over again he'd buy the working double-hung windows instead of crafting them by hand.

Upon Donna's death in 1985 in an automobile accident, the dollhouse was given to her cousin, Michele Jacobson. In the summer of 2004, Michele presented the dollhouse to the Coventry Historical Society. When asked about the furnishings Michele commented, "Donna never saw a piece of furniture she didn't like." Michele, her father, George and aunt, Jeanne were on hand to place the furniture in the dollhouse for this year's display. The furniture is placed to represent where "Aunt Maggie Jacobson" had her furniture in the original house. Margaret Jacobson was the last family member to live in the homestead that was built by Abner White in 1777. The rugs were knitted by Michele's mother, Grace Pereira Jacobson and her grandmother, Frances Adams Jacobson.

October 2005


The Jacobson Dollhouse
		Donna's Dollhouse The Jacobson dollhouse, "Donna's Dollhouse" is part of the Jacobson Collection, a recent donation to the Coventry Historical Society, and the crown jewel of "My Grandparents' Toys" display. It was built in 1976 by Walter Jacobson, of Coventry, for his daughter, Donna,. The dollhouse is a replica of the White/Jacobson family homestead on Cooper Lane, scaled one inch to the foot. It stands 29 inches tall, is open on two sides, has 9 rooms, and is electrified. The dollhouse took Walter Jacobson about a year to build in his mother's kitchen on South Street. His wife, Jeanne remembers the dollhouse being moved on and off the kitchen table so meals could be served. The dollhouse floors are made from oak, and cherry trees, found on the property and a chestnut board Jacobson found in the attic in Cooper Lane house. Although this was a labor of love, Jacobson said if he had to do it over again he'd buy the working double-hung windows instead of crafting them by hand. Upon Donna's death in 1985 in an automobile accident, the dollhouse was given to her cousin, Michele Jacobson. In the summer of 2004, Michele presented the dollhouse to the Coventry Historical Society. When asked about the furnishings Michele commented, "Donna never saw a piece of furniture she didn't like." Michele, her father, George and aunt, Jeanne were on hand to place the furniture in the dollhouse for this year's display. The furniture is placed to represent where "Aunt Maggie Jacobson" had her furniture in the original house. Margaret Jacobson was the last family member to live in the homestead that was built by Abner White in 1777. The rugs were knitted by Michele's mother, Grace Pereira Jacobson and her grandmother, Frances Adams Jacobson.