The forgotten story inside a Torquay dolls’ house

Tucked away in storage, behind the scenes at Torquay Museum, lies a beautifully preserved Victorian dolls’ house – once a childhood treasure, later a much-loved exhibit, and now the subject of renewed fascination.

The mid-Victorian dolls’ house was on permanent display at the museum for many years and is still fondly remembered by visitors who saw it on school trips or family visits. It previously belonged to six sisters, the last of whom, Miss Edith Caroline Hitchcock, died in Paignton in 1940.

Although the museum’s exhibitions have evolved over time, this intricate miniature home remains a key piece in its collection – safely preserved and rich with stories of how children once played.

And there’s more than nostalgia behind its charm.

Made during the height of the Victorian era, the house reflects a turning point in toy-making. Once reserved for teaching upper-class girls the art of housekeeping, dolls’ houses became more common as playthings by the time Queen Victoria ascended the throne. This particular house, with its original paper floor coverings, spans nearly a century of history.

Much of the furniture is imported from France and Germany, where cottage industries and child labour made mass production possible. The earliest dated item inside is an almanac from 1843; the latest, two French diaries from 1929. Among its miniature marvels are a rare wooden kitchen range, an early shower bath in the bedroom, and hand-made dolls dating back to before 1860.

The museum recently shared photographs of the piece – taken by John Tomkins of Emberlense Productions – on social media, prompting a wave of memories and fascination from locals who remember it fondly.

Though no longer on public display, the house continues to spark reflection on how children once imagined and mimicked the adult world — long before screens, plastic toys, or social media.

So what other treasures have we forgotten in the attic of time?