Dolls House Project Research Idea 

Early 1900's semi-detached tradesman's house, Mr Straw's House.

A huge amount of time can go into collating information and ideas for dolls house projects and I can thoroughly recommend a visit to Mr Straw's House to anyone about to embark upon or in the process of a project timed around the beginning of the last century.

Two generations of the Straw family lived in the house from the early 1920's up until the mid 1980's when William Straw the only surviving member of the Straw family was admitted to hospital prior to his death in 1990.  

It's a house where time has stood still since the early 1930's when Mr William Straw senior died suddenly, leaving behind his wife and two sons. From that day on nothing was changed in the house and today the house and its contents remain pretty much as they did back in the 1930's when the house was the Straw's family home. When you step through the front door of number 7 Blyth Grove, Worksop, Nottinghamshire you're literally transported back in time. With hats and coats still hanging in the hall and Mr Straw senior's pipes still hanging by the fireplace in the dining room it's almost as if the family have just nipped out and are due back any time soon. 

There are fine examples of fixtures and fittings original to the property along with all the personal affects of the Straw family. Most of the walls are papered with original Sanderson wallpaper and original floor coverings remain throughout much of the house.  

There's so much to see, the cupboard at the top of the attic stairs is fascinating in itself, full of food and preserves dating back to the 1930's, the living room and dining room have the most fabulous original fireplaces, in fact all the rooms tell a story for themselves.  

The house today is in the safe hands of The National Trust and is a fine example of what would have been a very desirable property when it was built back in the early 1900's. The house complete with all its contents is truly amazing but the story of the house and the lives of the Straw family through the years is only complete due to the diligent record keeping of the Straw family themselves. Household accounts, personal diaries and purchase receipts for many items that can still seen in the house today are all intact.  

Since acquiring the property and its contents back in the early 1990's. The National Trust have been painstakingly cataloguing the contents of the house and this process is likely to continue for some years to come. This house provides a fascinating insight into life early in the last century and is well worth a visit if you're looking for inspiration and information for your next dolls house project.