Within the Fairy Castle: Colleen Moore's Doll House at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

by Terry Ann R. Neff, Colleen Moore

Moore was a "flapper" and silent screen film star who commissioned a fairy tale castle in the 1920s at a cost of $500,000. Nine feet square by twelve feet high, it contains over 2000 miniature objects from around the world. This volume contains photographs of the castle and its garden.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, History, Photography, Biography, Fairy Tales, Architecture

127 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It is not possible to describe my emotions on receiving this remarkable offering, but I know that hundreds of thousands of children unborn will see this relic and I feel it will mean something to many of them. The time will never come when we will not be in the presence of miracles.”

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many years ago in the early ‘70s I was lucky enough to be in Chicago for a wedding, but there was plenty of time before the wedding to sightsee so a friend and I visited Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. With a name such as that, I was not expecting this museum to be that interesting for me as I was/am the English/literature/reading type vs. math and science type. Oh, how wrong I was!
This museum is an interactive museum (remember the time period, early ‘70s) . There were so many fascinating exhibits that it was extremely difficult to decide where we would go first. Then I saw The Fairy Castle - think doll house but made as a castle, a fairy castle and it had everything I would think a fairy castle would have and so much more! Colleen Moore, the silent screen star who did make the transfer to the ‘talkies’ eventually tired of Hollywood and returned to her passion: doll houses and miniature items that would fill a doll house, but now Ms. Moore wished to design with the help of friends and complete strangers, a fairy castle for children. The result is The Fairy Castle with a scale of 1”=1’-0”. Many precious stone were used as a diamond hanging from a chandelier. Fairy tales were incorporated through murals and items such as Cinderella’s glass slippers (1/4” long). I can never do justice to The Fairy Castle by description. Thus if you so desire, please go visit The Fairy Castle at the Museum of Scienceand Industry in Chicago or find a copy of Within the Fairy Castle and see the many gorgeous photographs of The Castle and its contents. I wish that I could live in The Fairy Castle. What a piece of art! What a beautiful gift to give to us all! Thank you all! 5+++++ stars!

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This exquisite doll house, belonging to a star of the silent film era, now resides in a museum in Chicago. This book gives details of how the house was imagined and chronicles some of the many workers and companies who supplied their talents in order to make those flights of fancy into a reality. The descriptions of the tiny furniture, décor, and garden are fascinating, especially for the fact as to how many items in the house actually are working replicas of the objects they represent, from chandeliers that light up, faucets that can be turned on to allow a thin stream of water to fill a bathtub, to a minute working razor, just to name a few. It is a marvel to behold. The doll house was a work of love for all who contributed and at one time was taken around to many major cities to garner money for charities.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Two Bad Mice has always been one of my favorites. Dear little Tom Thumb and Hunca Munca ravage a dolls' house with ensuing hilarity. Mary Norton's The Borrowers, immortalized in the Studio Ghibli film The Secret World of Arietty, has little people instead of little mice living inside full-scale houses. Both of these books piqued my childhood interest in miniatures, and when I saw Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle as a child, the world of tiny things opened to me completely.

Within the Fairy Castle is a marvelously photographed account of my favorite aspect of the Museum of Science and Industry (yes, it's cooler than the Enigma and the U-Boat, okay?). Colleen Moore was quite the woman. A silent film star of Hollywood's Golden Age, she devoted herself to raising funds for children's charities during the Great Depression by touring with the Fairy Castle, eventually raising more than the cost of the castle itself, on which she had spent her own funds. She ended up settling down in Chicago, and so did her Fairy Castle, which has been visited by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, among other luminaries.

The Fairy Castle is a grab-bag of all manner of children's tales, aesthetics, and architecture styles. The purpose was to create a fairy tale castle that could appeal to anyone, and be anyone's ideal of a fairy castle. Somehow, perhaps magically, it coheres. The kitchen, being the earthiest portion of the castle, has nursery rhyme motifs. The princess's bathroom brings to life the story of Undine, while the dining room pictures the story of King Arthur. Rip Van Winkle, Rock-a-Bye Baby, and Gulliver's Travels all make appearances. The library has an undersea theme, ranging from Northern Lights to tropical rainbows. Only seeing the castle in person, or examining the photographs of this book, can fully illuminate its incredible detail and decadence.


The Princess's Bedroom

If you can't make it to the castle in person, I highly recommend this book as a substitute. The photographs are excellent (the ones in my review do not come from the book, which are far better than anything Google turned up). While not exhaustive, the photographs of rooms and particular details give an excellent sense of the castle. I wish the detail photographs of certain items had been printed to scale. Often the photograph of an item less than 2" tall would be printed smaller than the real-life item. However, this is a minor quibble, and is still more close-up detail than you'd get from a real-life viewing, where the castle is under a covering.

I was in the mood for a purely escapist, visually wealthy read, and Within the Fairy Castle was perfect. Someday, I'll make it back to the city for yet another pilgrimage to the Fairy Castle, and perhaps the Thorne Miniature Rooms at the Art Institute, for Chicago is blissfully rich in exquisite miniatures.


Colleen Moore with her Fairy Castle, which is 1/12 scale

[S. Wigget · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of beautiful full-color photos and information about the Fairy Castle and about Colleen Moore.

I grew up in NW Indiana, an hour from Chicago, and we frequently visited the Museum of Science and Industry, where I always had to see the Fairy Castle and take my time gazing at every room and the garden and taking in the details. I remember I started making "stones" out of cornstarch clay because I wanted to make my own Fairy Castle, but I didn't get very far. I did make a large cardboard dollhouse, and my mother helped me make a wooden dollhouse from a kit--and I still have it. Currently I'm slowly making a Victorian Queen Anne dollhouse, also from a kit.

[Lisa Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live in the Chicagoland area, and growing up, my parents would take my brothers and me to the museums. Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle was always my favorite at the Museum of Science and Industry. This book is the perfect guide to visit the castle, and explore it from the biggest room, to the smallest of treasures with its gorgeous photography. I learned a lot about Colleen Moore as well. She was a fascinating woman, and her inspiration behind the castle is also as fascinating.

I found this book at my local library, and it was a fairly quick read for me.

This book made me appreciate the hard work, and dedication, put into the castle by its various artists and designers of the time.

If you're planning a trip to Chicago, definitely check out this book, and the Museum of Science and Industry.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the earlier edition, given to me by my grandmother; for many years it was my go-to book as a child when I was home sick or needed comfort. The pictures are gorgeous, the detail and the narrative by Colleen Moore excellent. Who can forget the close-ups of the kitchenware or the princess's bathroom? A magical book.

[LaDawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would love to see this in person!

[Nora Suntken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Main takeaway from this adult version of a picture book is that literally everyone who met Colleen Moore was in love with her. She had strangers donating their valuables and friends wholly enamored when writing their dedications. ALSO just the sheer amount of societal clout present in this dollhouse. There are famous people who made their mark in this ranging from FDR to Queen Elizabeth II to Picasso and Arthur Conan Doyle. Also Walt Disney, Nixon, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Agatha Christie, etc. I could go on for weeks and weeks. The doll house itself is beautiful, and I definitely came away with a newfound appreciation for the craftsmanship the various artisans put into the creation. When Josie and I saw it last weekend, we both thought the narrator was being silly when they were describing what was in it, but after reading this and realizing that it was being fully serious and that there lowkey might be a splinter of the true cross in there, I want to go back to fully appreciate it. Also, the author of this book was kind of an icon with the racism call-out and anecdote from Lord Halifax adding degrees of historical realism to an otherwise fanciful exploration of the house.

[Rosemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this castle in person at the Museum of Science & Industry on a trip to Chicago in 2018. I had heard about it before the trip and made a point to see it. It was wonderful! If you have not seen it, I recommend you do.

You can walk 360 degrees around the miniature castle while listening to Colleen Moore's voice talk about the details of it. I was hoping they would have a book about it in the gift shop and they did. This book is a great memory of the trip, but I have to say that it could easily be twice the size (or maybe a second volume) because there are things I remember that are not in the book.

It's just an amazing story all round, how Colleen Moore put the castle together and got all kinds of people involved - famous people, dignitaries, etc. Walt Disney contributed something. I just love the story behind the castle, the castle itself, and this book that captures just a tiny bit of it's magic.

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am amazed how fascinating a doll house can be to so many. I grew up visiting the Museum of Science and Industry. Every stop included a trip to the castle. As a mother of a teen, we now stop by the Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle on every trip. The book has wonderful pictures of areas of the castle that are hard to see, and shocking information on some of the items made for the fairy castle. My favorite tidbit is about an item that is so valuable that the item is kept in a safe.

The book would be interesting to anyone who loves silent movie actress Colleen Moore, miniatures, antiques, the Museum of Science and Industry, or those who like to read about eccentric individuals (It cost $500,000! $7,000,00 by today's money).

[belva hullp · Rating 5 out of 5]

70. Within the Fairy Castle: Colleen Moore's Doll House at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago by Terry Ann R. Neff; (5*);

Purchased for my great niece, Evangeline, this coffee table book is in and of itself a work of art. So beautifully detailed with picture close ups, diagrams and descriptions. And not only of just the fairy castle but of the little girl, her family and a bit of their lives as well. The photos are all lovely and the descriptions magnificent. The explanation of the building of this little castle (weighing about a ton) is remarkable, with a great deal of details about the construction.
It is quite a magical book and will woo people of all ages.

[Juli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book. I grew up loving the Fairy Castle but never really knew its story - now I love it all the more and can't wait for my next visit. This book is a treasure. In addition to beautiful photographs of each room of the castle, and close-ups of the charming details, the book includes a short biographical chapter about Colleen Moore and ends with transcripts of the text from many of the miniature books housed in the castle, from many famous authors and other luminaries. Highly recommended.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always wanted to visit Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. Reading about Colleen Moore’s fabulous Fairy Castle doll house only increases that wish. Moore, the original Hollywood flapper, spent more on creating the miniature environment than she did on her own home. The castle contains priceless works of art and antiques, all scaled at 1” = 1’. Tiny books in the library are inscribed by authors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, and Daphne Du Maurier. The effect is fanciful, magical, and incredibly imaginative.

[Geri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful castle.
I would love to see this in person.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fabulous resource of a beautiful doll castle.
🔥Recommended.

[Mercurybard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pictures are fantastic, though I wish there had been more angles taken of all the rooms. The historical information was interesting and well-presented.

[Megan Rooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thre details behind the collection are phenomenal. I wish there were more photographs of the lunes described in detail in the text.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle was mentioned in the book Savage Appetites as having inspired the miniature crime scenes known as the Nutshell Studies, and the mention was enough to convince me I needed to see it. Fortunately the Fairy Castle is on display at the Museum of Science and Industry and I could have spent hours looking at it. Fortunately, the museum has published this book which allowed for additional information and allows as much time as I want to look at the interiors.

The information about the items is fascinating, as is the history of Colleen Moore herself. My only complaint is that I would have loved to see even more pictures - sometimes details are described that are not shown - and would have happily read details of many more objects. I would have also loved to see images of the tiny books, but did appreciate the transcriptions from some of the more notable authors included at the end.

I'm not sure how well this would stand up on it's own without having first seen the castle, but I loved getting the closer look and additional details this book provides.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh, I loved this. Having seen what my mom always called Colleen Moore's "Doll House," multiple times as a child (I even had a Mold-O-Rama of it from one of the machines at the Museum of Science & Industry - it was bright blue), I saw it again on Christmas Eve 2025 and it's still as enchanting as ever it was. On the way out I asked at the museum store for a book to buy. No joy. So I went online and found a used copy in good shape and ordered it for myself for Christmas. It was spendy, but it was worth it. It's what we used to call a "coffee table book." Plenty of photos and just enough text to tell the story. Perhaps only of true interest to someone with a love of all things miniature and a love of the Museum of Science & Industry - still, I thought it was so great to be able to see the photos and close ups of so many of the wonderful miniatures in the Fairy Castle.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entrancing close-up of the most intricate and detail oriented doll-house ever constructed, I think. Colleen Moore was an accomplished silent film actress who loved dollhouses. She made the creation of this artifact her life work. Contributions to construction from many Hollywood craftsmen; contributions of meaningful items within from many friends, colleagues and people of note. Electricity, running water, authentic gold finishes and ornate decoration are only a few of the significant art benchmarks of this house. It is still on permanent display ot the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Close and detailed examination that was not possible when this book was first published can be had at their website. A gorgeous document of passion and dedication.

[Ember Moto · Rating 5 out of 5]

gives a glimpse into what might be the most expensive doll house in the world. The book goes over the history of the doll house as well as the history of Colleen Moor. The book also provides detailed images of each room in the house and highlights some of the item's in each one.

[Ophelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Such cute tiny items. Can't wait to see it in person.

[Jeslyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than Colleen Moore's Doll House published in 1981 (ish), Within the Fairy Castle is bigger, with more photos, information - the sequel that eclipses the original. Fantastic.

[dante☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coffee table book of my favorite museum exhibit of all time. A pleasant surprise at the end were little snippets from some of the real miniature books in the fairy library by the most prominent authors of the time.

My favorite snippets:

“…I deem it a great privilege to be invited to write in this volume and to be in the dolls house. I assume that when a man is very bad he gets in the dog house and when he is very good he gets in the dolls house…”
-William Randolph Hearst




Arrowsmith in Hollywood by Sinclair Lewis
Dedicated to Colleen Moore

Chapter I
When Arrowsmith got sick
of discovering nasty bacilli,
he went to Hollywood,
Hoping to get a job as extra &
to see Colleen

Chapter II
He didn’t.

Chapter III
So he went back home
And in vast indignation
he bit a bacillus typhosus so
that it died of lock jaw.

Chapter IV
moral: stay home nice kind bugs.

March 29 1926

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read two books of the same name and by the same author. The larger book, and I think later although there is no publication date, with color photographs is wonderful except the photos are sometime fuzzy around the edges and hard to see the detail. I saw some photos on the Internet and went looking for a book. This one is very detailed about the people and stories involved in building and furnishing the doll house. I am thinking of buying this book to keep.

This other was published in 1935. The name and author are the same but it is only 36 pages long and all of the photographs are in black and white. They have alot of detail but she describes all the beautiful colors but the reader can't see any of them. It also reads as if it were written for a young child.

I haven't seen the doll house yet but I want to.

[Bouvardia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was extremly educational and interesting. It talks about many of the different items in Colleen Moore's Doll House and how they came to be in her doll house. It's really fascinating to learn about how much detail and such went into the doll house. It has always been my favorite exhibit at the museum of Science and Industry and after reading this book, I'm dying to plan another visit to see the Fairy Castle with my own eyes once again.

On the downside, I was a little disappointed about certain photos that were taken. You can't see everything and many of the beautiful items that I would have liked to have seen upclose were left untouched.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love the Fairy Castle (and I do), you'll love this book! It gives some great history, and it has beautiful images. For me, the Fairy Castle is an example of unrestrained imagination, and it's lovely to capture that level of frivolity and joy in print. This book will do well on any coffee table. I have really enjoyed it.

[Patrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recently at The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry and saw this Fairy Castle. I am always intrigued when I look at all the wonderful treasures in the castle. I was pleased to find this book in the library, and it shows all the details on the different room in much greater detail. If you have seen the Fairy Castle or like doll houses and miniatures, you should check it out.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most favorite books from junior high! I loved miniatures. I suppose I still do, I have a box full of them. I have quite a collection but nothing to compare to this spectacular miniature castle.

I would open the pages, and just stare at the pictures and dream. I'd imagine all the little people inhabiting this world. I imagined me in this world.

Practically the best book ever.