We were delighted that Barry Mueller visited The Upper Room Chapel and Museum and wrote about the paper doll nativity from Czechoslovakia. Since then, we have discovered that Barry and his family have published America’s original and longest-published magazine for doll enthusiasts, Doll Castle News. (See image below).
There is also an interesting connection between the nativity set’s owner, Mrs. Josephine Jones, and The Upper Room. In 1954, Josephine visited Prague and bought the set from a shop owner. She had grown up in Nashville, Tennessee, and had lived next door to Dr. Grover Emmons, the founding editor of The Upper Room. Mrs. Jones said he had made such a good impression on her through his warmth and kindness that she wanted to donate to The Upper Room the nativity set in his honor.
Although six decades separated Josephine and Barry, the paper doll nativity brought them together.
—Kathryn Kimball, the Museum Collections Manager of The Upper Room Chapel and Museum
Click here to read more about Dr. Emmons,
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