“Make Your Own Dollhouse” Summer Camp

April 4th, 2023 |

Spend a week at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts exploring the dollhouse collection of Elizabeth Johnston Prime and learning about decorative arts. Each 4-day session is limited to just 20 children ages 7-12. Campers will get up close and personal with the Elizabeth Johnston Prime dollhouse collection, one of the largest in the United States, and then apply what they learned to their very own dollhouse! On the last day, parents are welcome for a dollhouse show and tell. All campers will be able to take their finished dollhouse home at the end of the week. 

Campers will talk about and explore architecture, interior design, color, toys, furniture, and more! Each day features a hands-on exploration: 

• Architecture: Learn to make your own buildings with paper mache 
• Interior Design: painting walls and fabric 
• Dollhouse and Toys: sculpt objects and people 
• Furniture: make furniture out of found materials 
• Art in the Home: make mini abstract paintings 
• Show + Tell and much more! 

They will also have a chance to look at the 44 antique dollhouses and over 6,000 dollhouse pieces included in the Kemerer’s collection. All of which were donated by one collector, Elizabeth Johnston Prime. 

Our Director of Collections and Engagements, Lindsey Jancay, says “The summer camps at HBMS are a great way for kids to enjoy hands-on engagement at museums and historic sites. With activities that bring to life day to day life on a colonial farm in the city, or that encourage creative exploration of interior design and architecture concepts, the camps offer a unique experience that unlocks the imagination and connects kids to their history and community here in Bethlehem.”

The Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts (427 N. New St., Bethlehem) is Pennsylvania’s only Decorative Arts museum. The museum features galleries and exhibits that highlight furniture, paintings, glass, ceramics, clothing, and decorative arts objects. All which help to explore the change of style and design over three centuries. 

The Kemerer’s new exhibit “Unspun: Stories of Silk ” will be open to the public on June 1. This display explores the Historic Bethlehem Moravians’ attempt to create this luxurious fabric. 

“Make your own Dollhouse” will take place from August 21 – August 25. The camp runs from 9 am to 3 pm Monday-Friday, with drop off starting at 8:30 am. You need to provide your own transportation and a packed lunch each day, but breakfast and snacks will be provided. The camp is $200 for HBMS members and $250 for non-members. In order to register, email Keith Sten at ksten@historicbethlehem.org or visit historicbethlehem.org. 

Kaitlyn Schock is a student intern from Kutztown University and a contributing writer for Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites.

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