A Grand Home...then and now

My Dad built this for Mimi it's a replica of the home

he was born in.
His Grandfather came over from Denmark
and built it in the mid 1800's for $3,200

we went back to Iowa when Mimi was a baby and my

Dad and I went through the home that My Grandma

was born in and then she raised her four children in.

they lost it in the Depression

but My Grandma and Grandpa rented it.

We called the owner of it at the time and explained

that we would love to walk through and asked if we saw something

like a board or a door knob if he minded

if we took a keepsake.

He said yes.

So I took some bead board from the kitchen walls.

which my dad

incorporated into this doll house for Mimi.

The house was in very bad shape the stairs had caved

in and the raccoons and Cattle had been through it

But the doors and trim were still beautiful.

three years later we went back and I couldn't wait to show

Phil and the kids this beautiful home or skeleton

of one.

and it had been burned to the ground.

I was heartbroken.

at least we have treasures like this to pass on.

Here's the house with my Dad and Mimi in the car seat

next to him. The last time we saw it standing.

My Mom and I always tease him the

dollhouse is missing the bay window.

Of course the Dolls are all Danish

from the Danish Immigrant Museum

in Elk horn Iowa.

If your Danish and your ever back there

it is amazing the genealogy department!!!

we were able to find out that my Great Grandma

came all the way from Denmark by herself

to meet up with my Grandpa and marry him over here.

she carried with her a purse that she had made

for the trip and it was donated to the museum.

I hope someday to see it!