BERGHOLTZ GALLERY

Discover the art and whimsy of miniatures as collectibles and playthings in a gallery
of fine-scale works of art. From a renowned collection of toy soldiers representing the
American Revolution through World War II to intricately detailed Victorian and contemporary dollhouses, these works created by highly skilled artisans engage generations in our local history through objects of play.

OSGOOD COLLECTION

The Osgood Collection is the finest existing collection of Britain’s toy soldiers in the world. The permanent exhibit displays Britain’s lead soldiers and others, manufactured primarily from 1910 – 1950, representing the American Revolution through World War II.

THROUGH THE CENTURIES

Lose yourself in a world of furnished dollhouses, miniature furniture, and miniature rooms, tracing their history as both plaything and collector’s hobby. Exhibits range from the Victorian Chamberlain Doll House of 1884 to the Tynie Toy Doll House of 1934. The collection also includes a 1920s doll house that belonged to Florence Crane Belosselsk from the Crane family of Ipswich.

Another unique feature of the dollhouse collection is the Beverly Darling Collection, which features miniatures that furniture company Sacks and Sons of Brookline, Massachusetts, used as samples in the early 20th century to assist their customers in choosing furniture. The pieces are fully functional with operating key locks, drawers, and doors. The room settings include Chinese ivories, silver, porcelains, and textiles that Beverly Darling began collecting as a child.

19TH- AND 20TH- CENTURY TOYS

Museum collections include 19th- and 20th- century toys such as board games, puzzles, blocks and educational toys, paper dolls, transportation toys, and mechanical toys, all of which are displayed on a rotating basis throughout the museum.