On The Road Again...

Hi,
Everyone! I hope your holidays were wonderful whatever and however you celebrate. Mine was so full I am just getting back to MJ! She is all packed up and will be leaving in the morning (Friday). The hosts don't know until the last minute when she will arrive and that is just in case she gets held up in the mail or customs. I am the last visit in the United States. This was all put together and started in 2012! I can't believe how time is flying! She has been to 11 hosts in several different countries already. Each host decides where she will send her next. Twenty four people around the world were chosen with a two year window of travel.

 We all will miss her; my family, my wonderful true friends,  my dolls and those people she and I met together. We had such fun! This is an experience we will never forget! My grandchildren are still learning about the places she has been.

 I  have a few more pictures and videos that I will share in a few more posts even though she will be on her way to her next host/auntie. Oh, by the way, I call her hosts "aunties" because that is what R/L MJ calls us. :-) There were so many other places to take her but time would not allow.

There are two things I wanted to add about South Carolina.    

                                    
1. You are never more than a few miles from a train track. The South Carolina coast is an open waterway for cargo from all over the world. That cargo can end up anywhere in the US!

                                                    

2. The other thing is the statewide rivalry between Clemson University and The University of South Carolina. It goes back a couple of centuries. You will see signs of one or the other or both all over the state.

                                                    This is a Wal-Mart display     



This is a common site in any Wal-Mart.
Sorry for the blurry picture. Taken with a cellphone

Last, not in any way least, I was so excited to receive my gifts from the other hosts. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I didn't know whether to show them or not. I don't want to spoil the surprise for the future hosts.  I hope they all love what I sent them also.



Click on picture for a larger view

The Front Porch Part III

I know you have been wondering what happened to The Front Porch III. I was trying to hold off until I could get back to Greenville and get a picture of the creator of those wonderful dollhouses and roomboxes.
Well, between my schedule and his we just could not get it together.

So, I am going to tell you a little about the man behind the dream dollhouses and roomboxes. The Front Porch has been in operation for over fifty years. At one time, the owner, Tom Henry had the largest dollhouse business in the South East United States. His work has included miniature duplicates of local mansions. Many years ago, before many of us were even involved with miniatures, Tom was in his local newspaper for his lovely houses.  The "well to do" sought him to make duplicates of their own  homes, orginal dollhouses and supplies or to have their dollhouses repaired. Here are some of his other works of art:

Thank you so much Tom and Karen for indulging me and allowing me to get these great photos.





One of the many houses in Tom's photo album



The Front Porch "a step back in time"

Tom makes the news. Click to see the date in 1977

Click on picture for a larger view

The Front Porch Part II

I had a hard time deciding what I would show next. So here is a collection of the various houses I saw at the Front Porch. Part III will be about the trains, the rest of the shop and the man who created it all. Enjoy!

Front
We can't forget the military!

Back



Front.
I really like this one with the porch and shingles. It isnt fancy, just neat and homey.

Back

Notice how thick the walls are. This was made pre-kit days. It is actual lumber laid out, measured and cut.
The people add to the vintage feel.

Roomboxes are also a part of the collection.

I loved his collection of period dolls.

Barbie lovers and other dolls collectors aren't left out

This is a cute set up with Ken. Notice the kitten lol

Click on pictures for a larger view

The Front Porch Part I

I have found that when you let someone know about your passion they usually can't help getting a little caught up in it too. My son happened across a man who happened to be a dollhouse icon. Forty years ago he was busy building dollhouses and roomboxes from scratch lumber. The kinds of houses we dream of today. More about this man later [after I get pics of him :-)]. First, lets look at his magnificent work. While you look, notice the sturdiness of the walls and floors. The Front Porch is an unassuming store that defies definition. In it you will find a fine collection of dollhouses, buy some vintage clothing or housewares or just a nice juicy peach to eat.

I will have to break this into several posts for you to be able to appreciate this treasure.

For the last fifteen years I have passed this store several times when in Greenville, South Carolina never noticing it or knowing of the  treasures within.

When you pass these on the shelf on the actual front porch you get the feeling there may just be a mini lover within.

This is the view as soon as you walk into the store and look to your right.

This is one of the first houses in my view

I walked behind it to see this set up. Miniature train and all!

Karen, a mini-lover for over 40 years,was happy to explain the history of the houses. This house was first built for a customer in 1981 who returned it recently to have it refurbished for her granddaughter.

Look at all of those rooms to decorate!

View #1 of the front of the largest house in the house.

 EVERYTHING in this house was HANDCRAFTED! The furniture was hand made by a craftsman from Africa.

Can you imagine the work that went into paneling those walls? These kind of details are evident in all of his work.

View #2 the other end. I love that little door!


Keep looking for parts two and three. I think I can squeeze it all within three posts.