Why do you abuse babydolls?

We NEVER abuse babydolls. Occasionally one of our dogs chews up (or on) a babydoll. But we absolutely DO NOT approve of doll abuse. This trauma is inflicted by others before the dolls arrive.

Why do you hang babydolls up?

Well, actually generally I don’t – that is Cec’s thing. I’m the one who is more likely to pretty them up. Things like hanging beads on them, or making little autumn leaf designs on the stakes, or redressing the mannequins.

Why does Cecil hang babydolls up?

I’m not sure that even Cec knows. He says emphatically it is for science. As a forensic anthropomorphologist (studier of abused baby dolls), he is carefully watching the rate of decay. But really Where would one put all these babydolls if one didn’t hang them up? In the past, people kept their empty canning jars on the palings of their picket fences when they weren’t using them; that is where we keep a lot of our extra babydolls.

How did this get started?

Years ago when Cec joined the Forest Service as archaeologist – they said that he could not bring his office collection of religious objects with him (vial of holy oil, little egg with open Bible saying Jesus loves you, holographic picture of the Angel watching over the little children as they crossed the rotting board walk over the raging waterfall, autographed picture of Jesus Christ, ...) The Forest Service folks said this was not appropriate in a government office.

            Cec began instead hanging up the little babydolls he found on the forest. Soon others began dropping off their “finds.” Then people began to send these to Cecil from distant places. Children began to turn in their “no longer wanted” babydolls, and small abandoned babydolls began to appear beside the road by the house.

            For some reason when Cec retired from the Forest Service, they preferred that he take his collection with him. Go figure!

Is babydoll abuse a problem specific to Appalachia (or eastern Kentucky)?

Like other stereotypes about Appalachia, this one is simply NOT true. Abused and abandoned babydolls have been found throughout the U.S. and reports of these have been received from other countries. Appalachians are no less likely to treasure their babydolls and no more likely to abuse them than residents of any other area.

Where do the babydolls come from?

Little babydolls find their way to the Home for Wayward Babydolls in many ways. Some simply arrive on our doorstep, tired, dirty, and broken by a hard life. Little drowning victims are often rescued by well meaning volunteers during lake and river cleanups. Some are found by archaeologists during surveys, by hunters, or by other people out in the wilds of city, suburb, or forested locations. Some are provided by children who have moved on to other toys. On request, the local thrift store will give broken babydolls to us instead of throwing them away. Very rarely they are purchased (the exception being the mannequins.)

Can I send a babydoll?

Yes, if you find an abandoned babydoll, you may send it (postage completely paid.)  For the purposes of science, you should include, if possible,

·      a picture of the babydoll when found (please no staged pictures!!!!)

·      as exact a location as possible (including GPS), and

·      a letter stating where, when, how the babydoll was found and any other information you have about the babydoll and how it came to be.

Finally – please include your explicit permission to use this information and picture in any future publication.

Can I visit the Home for Wayward Babydolls?

This is sometimes possible. We ask that visitors remember that this is a private residence, and contact us when planning a visit. We prefer that our visitors NOT arrive unexpectedly at midnight.

Please do not trespass. Remember that Kentucky State Law as of 2006 allows residents who feel threatened to legally respond with deadly force in home or vehicle invasions.

In this area of Kentucky, if you arrive unexpectedly and want to get someone’s attention, it is generally courteous (and wise) to pull up beside or in front of the house, honk your horn a couple of times and then wait until someone comes out, before getting out of your car. This will keep you from being confronted by our untied, unfenced dogs. We are always pleasant to people who follow this protocol.

Potential visitors should understand that we DO HAVE broken glass, sharp objects, stinging insects, and other potential hazards. We DO NOT have insurance or public bathrooms.

If I visit the Home, can I take photographs?

Yes, of course. The Home for Wayward Babydolls is one big ever-changing photo opportunity and you are welcome to take pictures for personal or scientific use. On the other hand - why not just set up your own little re-creation at home. Babydolls are easy to find. Please remember to get our explicit, written permission before publishing for-profit pictures of us.

How is the Home for Wayward Babydolls funded?

Despite its obvious charitable worthiness in the saving of poor little abandoned babydoll souls, the Home for Wayward Babydolls receives no government funding. We keep saying we are going to start putting out a donation box so that we can buy coffins and curation boxes, but so far we haven’t gotten around to it.

So, Do you Really Believe this is Art?

Yes. No. Maybe it’s really science. I don’t really care. It’s fun.

What do your neighbors think?

All our neighbors are relatives. They think “Oh that’s just Cecil; he’s always been that way.” The teenagers think “this is so cool.” The children love to come and paint.

“Oh my God, I could be next to these weird people in Wal-Mart!”

No, if you are in Walmart, you are safe.

If you have additional questions or would like to arrange a visit, please contact us at (email) or through our page on Facebook

Revised 9/2022