Val, a 101-year-old woman, has turned her passion for vintage toys into a unique museum, the Ty Twt Dolls House and Toy Museum in Newport, Pembrokeshire. The museum's origins trace back to 1939, when Val's father went into the Army and the family's possessions, including her cherished dolls' house and toys, were placed in storage. After the family settled into a new home, the toys were put in the attic and remained unseen for decades.
"We thought they were all gone," Val recalled. "But after our mother died in 1977, my sister Pam and I discovered all our toys in their pre-war crates. It was so emotional, I can't tell you."
With a pristine collection of vintage toys rediscovered, Val and her sister were inspired to expand their collection and share it with the public. Together, they opened the dolls' house museum 26 years ago. Although Pam has since passed away, Val continues to welcome visitors, including school groups, to share the toys of the past.
Val often asks visitors if they have dolls' houses, noting that the contemporary versions are often pink, a contrast to the vintage items on display. The museum showcases a variety of miniature scenes and toys, reflecting the era when Val played with them.
