The Doll Asylum is an annual Halloween experience and makeshift doll-themed museum, originally hosted at a couple's private residence in Portland, Oregon's Piedmont neighborhood, in the United States. In 2017, the Doll Asylum moved to Astoria, Oregon.
| Doll Asylum | |
|---|---|
 Crib filled with dolls, 2015 | |
| Status | Active |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Location(s) | Piedmont, Portland, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 45°34′08″N 122°40′38″W / 45.56876°N 122.67719°W |
| Country | United States |
| Years active |
|
| Founder |
|
| Website | dollasylum |
Description and history
edit
Mark Williams and Heidi Loutzenhiser originally decided to host an open house as a way to meet their new neighbors, having moved to the neighborhood in 2010.[1][2] They considered a bird theme until Williams saw a doll leaning against a tree across the street from his house.[1] He has said of the event's evolution and impact: "It started with just some family friends coming over, now we're on the internet. I just love seeing how they react to the little things we do out and about... it just makes me happy."[3]
Since its inception, visitors have added "demented" and "macabre" dolls to the collection.[4][5] By 2012, the couple had more than 700 dolls,[4] and their collection passed the 1,000 doll threshold by 2015. The first 75, however, were left to Loutzenhiser when her mother died.[1] Williams has said of the collection, "Dolls are perfect. Because they're cheap. And they creep people out. All of these are donated or bought from Goodwill or other thrift shops."[1] The Doll Asylum is open at no cost for a limited time each Halloween season.[1][2]
In 2017, the Doll Asylum moved to Astoria, Oregon, where open houses continue around Halloween.[citation needed]
Reception
editThe event's attendance has grown over time, as has the size of the doll collection.[3] One KOIN reporter said of his experience, "I didn't really know what to expect upon arriving to the home that has a hundred or so dolls dwelling inside. What I found was a family who absolutely loves Halloween… and they love celebrating it with everyone."[5] Michael Lloyd of The Oregonian called the asylum "creepy, but fun".[4] In 2015, the paper included the event in its list of five ways to celebrate Halloween. The paper said, "North Portland's Doll Asylum is a truly creepy Halloween experience. Breaking the mold from the haunted house thrills, the makeshift doll-themed museum displays old dolls in vast numbers around a house – creepy enough in their own right."[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e Nakamura, Beth (October 24, 2015). "Doll Asylum a haunting Halloween experience in North Portland". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
- ^ a b "Creepy Doll Asylum in N. Portland ready to open its doors". KPTV. October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
- ^ a b "'Doll Asylum' in North Portland aims to scare". KATU. October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
- ^ a b c Lloyd, Michael (October 30, 2012). "North Portland home turned into Doll Asylum for Halloween". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
- ^ a b Maki, Kyle (October 21, 2015). "Portland's 'Doll Asylum' Opening its Doors". KOIN. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
- ^ "5 things to do in Portland this weekend: How to celebrate Halloween 2015". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
External links
edit| External media | |
|---|---|
| Images | |
 North Portland home turned into Doll Asylum for Halloween (photo essay) by Michael Lloyd (October 30, 2012), The Oregonian | |
| Video | |
 Portland's 'Doll Asylum' Opening its Doors (October 21, 2015), KOIN | |
| 'Doll Asylum' in North Portland aims to scare (October 26, 2015), KATU | |
| Creepy Doll Asylum in N. Portland ready to open its doors (October 28, 2015), KPTV |
Media related to Doll Asylum at Wikimedia Commons- Official website
- Testa, Jessica (October 31, 2012). "Halloween "Doll Asylum" Is Creepy, Awesome". BuzzFeed.
- "Portland Doll Asylum Opens Its Doors to Visitors". GoLocalPDX. October 24, 2015.
