Haskell Playhouse, Victorian playhouse in Alton, United States.
The Haskell Playhouse is a Victorian-style playhouse in Alton featuring stained glass windows, decorative ironwork, and carved wooden details. This small structure of roughly fourteen by sixteen feet showcases Queen Anne architectural characteristics with refined craftsmanship throughout.
Dr. William Abraham Haskell commissioned this Queen Anne-style playhouse in 1885 as a birthday gift for his daughter Lucy. Four years after its completion, Lucy passed away, transforming the structure into a lasting memorial.
The interior features a glass-door cabinet that once displayed dolls and toys during the late Victorian era. This detail reveals how children from wealthy families enjoyed their leisure time and what kinds of playthings occupied them.
The playhouse stands at the intersection of Twelfth and Henry Streets in Alton and is straightforward to locate. Being a registered historic site, it welcomes visitors to explore its exterior and interior details freely.
Florence Hayner Haskell donated the playhouse and about 26 acres of land to the City of Alton as a lasting tribute to her deceased daughter. This generous gift represents one of the most significant private donations in the city's history.
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