page_title: Doll Asylum
section_title: Description and history
hierarchical_section_title: Doll Asylum / Description and history
caption_attribution_description: Doll display at the Doll Asylum, an annual Halloween experience and doll-themed museum at a private residence in Portland, Oregon
context_page_description: The Doll Asylum is an annual Halloween experience and makeshift doll-themed museum, originally hosted at a couple's private residence in Portland, Oregon's Piedmont neighborhood, in the United States. In 2017, the Doll Asylum moved to Astoria, Oregon.
context_section_description: Mark Williams and Heidi Loutzenhiser originally decided to host an open house as a way to meet their new neighbors, having moved to the neighborhood in 2010. They considered a bird theme until Williams saw a doll leaning against a tree across the street from his house. He has said of the event's evolution and impact: "It started with just some family friends coming over, now we're on the internet. I just love seeing how they react to the little things we do out and about... it just makes me happy." 
  Since its inception, visitors have added "demented" and "macabre" dolls to the collection. By 2012, the couple had more than 700 dolls, and their collection passed the 1,000 doll threshold by 2015. The first 75, however, were left to Loutzenhiser when her mother died. Williams has said of the collection, "Dolls are perfect. Because they're cheap. And they creep people out. All of these are donated or bought from Goodwill or other thrift shops." The Doll Asylum is open at no cost for a limited time each Halloween season.
  In 2017, the Doll Asylum moved to Astoria, Oregon, where open houses continue around Halloween.
caption: Doll display, 2015
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