101-Year-Old's Magical Dollhouse Museum Brings Childhood Toys to Life!

Val Ripley is a remarkable woman who has reached the age of 101, but her love for dolls' houses has never faded. She received her first dolls' house as a Christmas gift from her parents when she was just eight years old, back in 1932. Val remembers waking up to see a huge parcel wrapped up, and she could hardly believe it was for her. That dolls' house became her pride and joy throughout her childhood, and she cherished it for many years.

In 1939, when Val's father returned to the Army, the family's belongings, including the treasured dolls' house and other toys, were put into storage. After the war, the family settled into a new home, but the toys were placed in the attic and forgotten for decades. It wasn't until 1977, after their mother passed away, that Val and her sister Pam rediscovered their childhood toys in old crates. The moment was deeply emotional for Val, as she thought the toys had been lost forever. Inspired by their find, Val and Pam decided to share their collection with others by opening Ty Twt Dolls House and Toy Museum in Newport, Pembrokeshire. The museum has been open for 26 years, and although Pam has since passed away, Val continues to welcome visitors and school groups, showing them the toys of the past.

The museum features a wide variety of dolls' houses and vintage toys, some dating back to the 1840s. Val explains that dolls' houses were originally made for wealthy adults as display pieces, but the Industrial Revolution made them more affordable and sturdy, turning them into popular children's toys. The collection at Ty Twt includes both old and modern dolls' houses, reflecting changes in society and home life over the years. Val has even created a miniature school for teddy bears, complete with names and a mock Latin motto. Despite her extensive collection, Val still enjoys finding new pieces to add to her museum. She believes the collection is a valuable record of social history and loves sharing it with everyone who visits.