American Doll and Toy Museum: We Go on, somehow; the State of the Doll Museum

Friday, April 24, 2020

We Go on, somehow; the State of the Doll Museum

As I write, ADATM is in flux. We can't open. Our current location is small, for only two or three people and me at a time. Having said that, we are more than six feet apart. We are in the middle of arranging the closing for our new building. I hope we can open.

We are ok, but we need the SBA loans we've applied for and our stimulus check. We have no news on any of those fronts. We have some resources for our museum, but we still have to pay rent and utilities where we are, tough when no one comes in.

Our Kickstarter campaign is being renewed, but not up again. GoFundMe is doing nothing and our other fundraising is completely stagnant. We understand, because everyone is in the same sinking financial boat. We opened November 30th, Small Business Saturday, and had to Close March 25th, not even four months.

We're very, very grateful to those who have bought from DrEsToyMuseum, our Etsy store.

Thankfully, the proof for my new book, Thinking outside the Doll House, is back from the publisher. I'm reviewing that and hope it will be published soon.

My magazine column is at a standstill; I've written four articles over the last year, and have not been paid for any.

Thankfully, no one is ill, but our life is very challenging. With deep regret I announce that our dear friend, doll collector and shop owner, Diane Hoffman, has succumbed to covid 19 and other complications. Her daughter, Rachel, is a dear friend with whom we frequently collaborate.

Our love and prayers go to Diane, Rachel, and their family. Having had two funerals in one year, and all sorts of losses of close friends, my heart goes out to them. I lost my mother 12 years ago, and I've not been the same, since. The museum comforts me because she and my dad were behind it, and the dolls are as much theirs as mine. My whole family helped to build this museum. We traveled everywhere but Antarctica, and a very good family friend went there so we're covered.

If you feel lost and lonely, please comment and reach out here, or on our Facebook pages, American Doll and Toy Museum, Dr. R, Antique Doll, Dr. E's Doll Museum, and Doll Universe.

Be safe; know we are all essential; we all contribute to our communities, we all matter, our lives are important. God Bless!