If you lived in New England between 1940 and 1995, you probably remember visiting or hearing about the wonderful little 'Carriage Shed' puppet theater called the 'Toy Cupboard Puppet Theatre and Museums'. Located in South Lancaster, Massachusetts, its founder, Herbert H. Hosmer, Jr. the man whose dream made it a reality for fifty five years.
His career was an elementary school teacher, but his love was operating the magical puppet theater. For many years he continued to entertain and delight children and their families who visited this special place. He also traveled about with a transportable puppet stage and continued performing well into his late seventies until 1992 when his health prevented him from continuing.
His interest in children's toys, games, dolls, dollhouses and antique books allowed him to collect a large assortment of materials which were displayed in separate buildings on his property known as 'The John Greene Chandler Toy & Book Museum', and 'Rackety Packetty Doll House Museum'. His collection of Doll Houses, miniature furniture, local history and his tremendous collection of children's books made him an authority on the subjects and many articles and books quoted his knowledge.
He was also very involved in local history and spent many years as a member and President of Lancaster's Historical Society. He was also a docent and researcher to the Worcester Historical and American Antiquarian Societies.
Herbert became very ill on November 17, and was taken by ambulance to the hospital. The executor of his estate immediately changed the locks on the house and eliminated Mr. Hosmer's loving cat, Jimmy. A week later Mr. Hosmer quietly passed away on Thanksgiving morning, November 23, 1995. He was 82 years old. The executor then forced the closure of the theater and museums in spite of Mr. Hosmer's great desire to continue their operation long after his death. The executor thought it too much of a burden to follow such wishes and secretly liquidated the antique furnishings, family portraits, paintings, books, the contents of the Toy and Doll-House museums and puppet theater materials to auction houses and private collectors. Finally with excuses of his own illness and inability to 'keep up' the home, etc. He sold the property on which it all existed.
The new owners of the property did not wish to keep the deteriorating puppet theater building, so had it removed piece by piece. It remains under tarp in another S. Lancaster back yard, with the eventual hope of resurrecting it.
During the past several years, a collection of photographs, news articles, audio and video tapes of his delightful shows and amazing museums have surfaced. They have been compiled in separate slide shows and formatted on compact disc for use on personal computer.
Once again, the doors of the theater so many loved to visit, have opened in this CD. Visit the theatre and museums as you may have done as a child. See again the Toy Cupboard, the puppets, marionettes and shadow figures that entertained for so many years. Listen to and experience Mr. Hosmer's unique style of puppetry and the humor which made his shows so wonderful. Take a virtual tour of the wonderful doll house and toy museums. Read the many articles written about this fascinating man's life, Learn the story of his childhood and the events that shaped his life towards puppeteering as well as his love of collecting children's toys in the animated and virtual storybook slideshow by Paul L'Ecuyer.
Most of all, have fun using your imagination creating things as Mr. Hosmer would have wished.
There are projects included that parents and children will enjoy doing together.
