Be a Child Again at the Ida Dennie Willis Museum of Miniatures, Dolls & Toys. Tulsa is the second largest city in Oklahoma, and as such, it has a number of different things to see and do for those who travel to the area. You will be able to see a number of parks, zoos, performances, festivals, and museums. With all of the things to do and great places to eat, you will be able to find plenty to keep you busy. One of the most popular museums in the area is the Ida Dennie Willis Museum of Miniatures, Dolls & Toys.
The fun and interesting museum is housed in a renovated 1910 mansion. Even without all of the toys, it would be fun to explore the nearly 100-year-old house!
When you begin touring the house, you will see a wide variety of toys and miniatures in the collection. Many of the items in the house are quite old and exotic, but there is a good chance that people will find items that remind you of your own childhood. The museum’s galleries hold a number of interesting treasures, from artisans around the world.
Most of the items on display are from the collection of retired local teacher Ida Dennie Willis, which includes toys, miniatures, and dolls gathered for over thirty years. In addition, you can see other collections that are very impressive in their own right.
A few of these other collections that you can see are Fannie Hill’s “One Thousand Dolls,” Eddie Fay Gates’ ethnic dolls, as well as dolls used in advertising, a collection of Native American Dolls and artifacts from the collection of Buena V. Green, and handcrafted miniature houses and a Gypsy caravan by Carl Smith.
While the toys and miniatures are certainly nice, the museum does more than just bring about a sense of nostalgia. It also offers a look at history and art, as well as the style of the toys and how they changed over the years.
While the permanent collection of toys and miniatures is quite impressive, the museum also has many rotating exhibits. Some of these are on loan from people in the community.
The Ida Dennie Willis Museum of Miniatures, Dolls & Toys is open from 11AM to 4:30PM Wednesday through Saturday. It is closed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Admission for adults is $3.50, $3.00 for seniors as well as children between the ages of 12 and 17. Children are $2.50.
Location: 628 N Country Club Drive
Tulsa, Oklahoma