The other day on Instagram, a Reels from Greg Ludwig (@ghostinspectorgreg) about haunting dollhouse graves caught my eye. Probably because, thanks to the Weird Holidays & Observances page, I’m aware that the first Sunday in August is National Doll Day. I was looking for an interesting way to observe it, so seeing Greg’s post felt a bit serendipitous.
Plus, dollhouse graves weren’t something I’d explored here yet —or was even acquainted with at all for that matter. What better day to rectify that than on National Doll Day?
Not that dollhouse graves are for dolls or their dollhouses, though. If you’re like me and they’re new to you too, let’s have fun getting to know all about them together.
What is a dollhouse grave?
Dollhouse graves are not where dolls, or dollhouses, are buried. They’re essentially very elaborate grave markers for the final resting places of children.
Or, as Kate Cherrell from Burials & Beyond so eloquently described them, they’re a “funerary and mourning tradition” that presents a “lasting memorial not just to the child, but to the extreme outpouring of grief from parents. These little houses become representative of a universal ‘everydaughter’, a child in their playroom for all eternity.”
However, they’re not very common. Thankfully. Because that would represent a lot of young lives cut short too early and too many parents whose hearts should never know that kind of torment. Let’s take a look at the cemeteries where you can see examples of some, though.
5 Places to Find Dollhouse Graves
1. Connersville City Cemetery – Connersville, IN
The second oldest dollhouse on this list belongs to Vivian May Allison (1892-1899). The unique Victorian hand-built house meant to memorialize a little girl who died too soon draws a lot of visitors to the small town of Connersville. The townspeople are very proud of their unusual gravesite, but they’re also very protective. They’ve adopted Vivian May as one of their own. Over the years, they’ve kept up her dollhouse, even repairing it when need be, such as when time and its elements —or, worse, vandals (WTH?!)— have harmed it.
2. East Hill Cemetery – Arlington, IN
Lova Cline’s (1902-1908) dad built Lova’s Dollhouse, as it’s known. Sadly, Lova was born with a disease that prevented her from moving on her own. She couldn’t even really play with the dolls in her dollhouse, but she loved it all the same. And her dad had designed it with her in mind, making the windows extra large to make it easier for her to see inside. In fact, AL.com writer Kelly Kazek reports “miniature toys are visible through the curtained windows” even today.
3. Hope Hill Cemetery – Medina, TN
Another dollhouse filled with toys keeps Dorothy Marie Harvey (1926-1931) company in her resting place. Hers is a sad story not only because she died so young, but also because she contracted measles and died while traveling with her parents, who were passing through Medina, headed North in search of work.
The years took their toll on her dollhouse. When it deteriorated, the townspeople took it upon themselves to replace it and now make sure to maintain it.
This one is also rumored to be haunted. Some have reported seeing Dorothy’s apparition when they look through the windows.
4. New St. Joseph Cemetery – Cincinnati, Ohio
Stone mason John Keating built the oldest dollhouse on this list to endure. Unlike most of the others that were initially constructed of wood, this two-story dollhouse is made of stone in memory of Keating’s daughter, Mary Julia (1867 -1868), his son Eddie (1874 -1876), and his niece Mary Agnes (1875 -1876).
5. Oakwood Cemetery – Lanette, AL
Little Nadine’s Playhouse, as it’s better known, marks the final resting place for Nadine Earles (1929-1933). The solid brick structure with its awnings, glass windows, and door is one the most impressive and charming examples of a dollhouse grave.
However, it’s not the original structure that was first placed there, which her parents did to honor Nadine’s request to receive a dollhouse for Christmas. Sadly, diphtheria claimed her life the week before the holiday, on December 18. They decided to give it to her anyway.
When it deteriorated, it was replaced by the brick one that still stands there today. Burials & Beyond pointed out that if you look inside, you’ll see dolls and other playthings in addition to “what appears to be a toy bed,” but what “is, in fact, her headstone.”
Which you can see in the newspaper clipping below. You can also see a photo of little Nadine that at one time was (and maybe still is?) in her house to memorialize her.
Her parents maintained her gravesite their whole lives. When it was their time to join her, they were buried in the same area with her.
Haunting Dollhouse Graves Reels
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For More Info
To learn even more about dollhouse graves, visit any of the following sites:
https://agraveinterest.blogspot.com/2015/08/dollhouse-grave-markers.html
https://www.al.com/living/2014/06/alabama_childs_playhouse_mauso.html
https://burialsandbeyond.com/2021/04/10/the-curious-world-of-dollhouse-graves/
https://www.cultofweird.com/death/dollhouse-graves/
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/little-nadine-earles-doll-house-grave-lanett
https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/59387
Check-In
Have you ever visited a cemetery with a dollhouse grave?
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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I haven’t seen a dollhouse grave. Leave it to the Victorians to think of such a thing. The idea is kind of sweet but kind of sad, too. I’d rather think of the children as having moved on to a better place than hanging around a graveyard.
It’s so very sad. Like you, I understand the parents meant well. I hope it helped them with their grief somehow. But you put into words what was troubling me about it that I didn’t understand in your last sentence. You are such a kind, gentle soul who crafts beautiful writing not only in how you string the words together but in their meaning too. Thank you for sharing like you do. Just want to take a moment to let you know you often provide comfort to my soul with your comments and I greatly appreciate you.