Massive doll collection on its way to the 'big house'
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SEATTLE -- A Seattle woman has spent three years trying to find a suitable home for her colossal collection of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, and now the collection is headed to the strangest of places.
Kathy Jackson first contacted KOMO News in 2009 to ask for help finding a home for her ample doll collection.
Her house and her rooms were overrun with redheads, and it had just become too much.
"They're up and down and all over and everywhere," she said.
And it's not just dolls, either. She has Raggedy Ann rings, watches, pinatas, pillows and plagues.
"Not just the curtains and kids clothes, the knickk nacks and wall plaques," she said.
But the collection is just taking up too much space, and Jackson is now boxing up all 6,000 items and shipping them off to the big house.
Yes, the dolls are going to prison. Or, more accurately, they're going to a former prison in Deer Lodge Montana.
"So they're on a life sentence to Deer Lodge, Montana," Jackson said.
The old prison now houses museums instead of inmates, and the curator of what's now called Yesterday's Playthings has agreed to take the collection.
"We're astounded by the quality and size," he said.
It will likely take Jackson until the museum's June grand opening to get all the dolls ready and say her goodbyes.
"The babies need a forever home and this is what I wanted before I pass away," she said.
Jackson knows it will be a sad day when she finally lets go of the dolls, but she said it's like watching her children grow up and leave the house.
Jackson said some people were interested in the dolls before the prison, but she's sending them to the museum because it will keep the entire collection together. She said she plans on visiting her old friends from time to time.
Kathy Jackson first contacted KOMO News in 2009 to ask for help finding a home for her ample doll collection.
Her house and her rooms were overrun with redheads, and it had just become too much.
"They're up and down and all over and everywhere," she said.
And it's not just dolls, either. She has Raggedy Ann rings, watches, pinatas, pillows and plagues.
"Not just the curtains and kids clothes, the knickk nacks and wall plaques," she said.
But the collection is just taking up too much space, and Jackson is now boxing up all 6,000 items and shipping them off to the big house.
Yes, the dolls are going to prison. Or, more accurately, they're going to a former prison in Deer Lodge Montana.
"So they're on a life sentence to Deer Lodge, Montana," Jackson said.
The old prison now houses museums instead of inmates, and the curator of what's now called Yesterday's Playthings has agreed to take the collection.
"We're astounded by the quality and size," he said.
It will likely take Jackson until the museum's June grand opening to get all the dolls ready and say her goodbyes.
"The babies need a forever home and this is what I wanted before I pass away," she said.
Jackson knows it will be a sad day when she finally lets go of the dolls, but she said it's like watching her children grow up and leave the house.
Jackson said some people were interested in the dolls before the prison, but she's sending them to the museum because it will keep the entire collection together. She said she plans on visiting her old friends from time to time.
I've known Kathy for a very long time. She has collected her "Raggedy kids" for a very long time. She has taken wonderful care of them and I knew this was a dream of hers. Thank you Deerlodge for making her dream happen!! I think it is a shame she is being put through the ringer from the the IRS for donating her collection..None of those details make sense to me. Congrats to you Kat!!!
Can you say "Excessive Compulsive Disorder"?
She seems like a very sweet lady. Â I could see having a few different things, but all the same rag doll? Â I still have mine from childhood, but dust is a noun, not a verb (in this house), and I can't imagine keeping all that clean. Â I'm glad she's happy with the outcome though!
 @Doxie I am the Director at the Old Montana Prison Complex and we are thrilled to be receiving this wonderful collection! Our Curator, John O'Donnell is in Seattle right now and gave two thumbs up to the quality of Kathy's collection. We are thankful for her kindness and generosity.
And I totally agree... dust is a noun with me, too!!
 @Julia Brewer I have a whole houseful of dust you may have at no cost.
 @Julia Brewer I'm glad you could give them all a good home, which makes her so happy.  How can you work in a museum and not like dust, LOL!  Thanks for making that lady happy toward the end of her life.  I'm sure people kept giving her stuff for her collection and that's why it's so sentimental to her.  Some look very old and especially some of the knick-knacks even look Depression-era. Â
 @Doxie  @Julia Brewer Sorry we missed you in Seattle Julia. The family would like to thank "The Old Montana Prison"  for excepting the Kathy Jackson Collection of  Raggedy's. We have never seen mom as happy as she is now knowing her collection will remain together and have a forever home. John has some wonderful ideas and we cant wait to see them all come together.  Thank you again and we look forward to seeing you at the Grand Opening in June.
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Mel and Diane