Arms Museum is “All Dolled up”

The Arms Family Museum in Youngstown is “All Dolled Up” for the holiday season.

This holiday exhibit that rekindles the memories of Christmas past is in its third year in the 1905 arts and crafts mansion of Olive and Wilford Arms, now the home of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.

This annual display features many items from the historical society’s collection as well as loans from private collectors. The display features rare, one-of-a-kind vintage decorations, period lighting and this year will feature dolls and toys.

Vignettes in the museum include a village of vintage doll houses; a 9-foot Christmas tree filled with American-made Shiny Brite glass ornaments; a winter wonderland complete with dolls building a snowman; and a dancing beauty that will grace the dining room table.

This year’s exhibit will also feature two theme trees by collectors Jerry and Darla Arnold from Beechwood, Ohio. Their 40-year collection of paper ornaments has been featured in “Early American Life” magazine and exhibited at the Taft Museum in Cincinnati.

Visitors to the 2009 exhibit called the display “like something out of New York City — it’s so elaborate and detailed it’s impossible to see everything in just one walk-through.”

Visitors are welcome on the self-guided tour to make multiple passes through the seven period rooms as well as visit the second floor local history exhibits, and the Anne Kilcawley Christmas Hands-On History Room.

The museum’s gift shop, Greystone Gifts, has a wide variety of items, including vintage trees, ornaments and Santa figurines for sale.

“All Dolled Up” is open through Sunday. Hours for the museum are Tuesday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission for the exhibit is $5 for adults, $3 for children 3 to 18 and children under 3 are admitted free. The Arms Family Museum is located at 648 Wick Avenue in Youngstown.