Dollhouse gets new home at Decorah Public Library

Phyllis Leseth with her dollhouse

A dollhouse custom-built in 1975 now has a new home--the Decorah Public Library.

Phyllis Leseth of Decorah donated the dollhouse, wishing to share it with the general public, especially children.  Greg Marten of Decorah built a custom case for the dollhouse and it is now on display just outside Library Director Lorraine Borowski's office. 

Leseth's brother-in-law, Joe Poshuta of Boone, built the dollhouse in 1975.  It has three floors and six rooms, including a Norwegian room. The furnishings are old-fashioned and many pieces are handmade. In some rooms, it is Christmas year-round. Another novelty of the house is the photo of Leseth located over the bed in the right side room on the top floor.

Since 1975 family members and friends have often given Leseth gifts of dollhouse items.  She and her husband Hubert often made special stops on trips in order to pick up items for the dollhouse.  The house was located in the Leseths' living room for over 30 years.  During that time numerous visitors enjoyed seeing it.