Within the Fairy Castle: Colleen Moore's Doll House at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

This renowned doll house, conceived as a fairy castle, is one of the most beloved permanent displays at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. A gift to the museum from Colleen Moore, star of the silent-film era and the original "flapper, " the Fairy Castle has appealed to the imaginations of thousands of children since 1949. The minute and precious detail of this cherished residence of Moore's imaginary fairy prince and princess has been captured in color photography, giving the reader a close-up tour of the nine-foot-square and twelve-foot-high castle's rooms and their treasures. We enter the miniature palace of make-believe through the Magic Garden, with its working fountain and weeping willow tree that cries "real tears"; travel through the Library of diminutive books, with contributions from F. Scott Fitzgerald, Willa Cather, and others; move on to the Great Hall, with its tiny paintings, dainty chandeliers made of diamonds and emeralds, Cinderella's glass slippers, and more; and explore the castle's wonders from top to bottom.
Within the Fairy Castle: Colleen Moore's Doll House at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

By Colleen Moore, Terry Ann R. Neff, Scott H. Rose, Barbara Karant, Ill.) Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago, Ill.)

Edition: illustrated

Published by The Museum, 1998

ISBN 0821225197, 9780821225196

127 pages Ages 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle All Ages

Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle
at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry with Audio Tour
http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/fairycastle/the-exhibit/

Experience the enchantment of a fairy’s dream home in Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle.

This elaborate miniature house was created by silent film star Colleen Moore in the 1930s, and was donated to the Museum of Science and Industry in 1949.

It will delight you with its tiny treasures—including murals and paintings painted by Walt Disney himself; chandeliers adorned with real diamonds, emeralds and pearls; the tiniest Bible ever to be written, dating back to 1840; and ancient statues more than 2,000 years old.

By 1935 more than 700 individuals had lent their expertise—including surgical instrument lighting specialists, Beverly Hills jewelers and Chinese jade craftsmen. The price tag for this 8'7" x 8'2" x 7'7" foot palace, containing more than 2,000 miniatures, was nearly $500,000.