MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Painstakingly handcrafted reproductions of historic dolls are featured at Gibson Museum in Middletown during December.

Heads and body parts are sculpted and cast, and costumes handsewn in Elizabeth Eaholtz’s Hidden Valley Lake home.

She is currently assisted by friends and neighbors, two of the Salvadori sisters — Natalina, age 11, and Valentina, age 12.

Who could say which is the more delightful of the two collections of handmade dolls featured in the holiday displays at the Gibson Museum in Middletown?

In addition to a bevy of charming “historic” dolls, actually authentic reproductions by Eaholtz, the engaging “rag dolls” created by Middletown artist Sophie Lauterborn are equally appealing, in an entirely different way.

Handiwork is key to the overall display. A tree decorated by Georgeann Tintorri of Hidden Valley Lake with selections from her lifelong collection of Christmas ornaments graces the historic Gibson building’s huge front picture window.

For this occasion, Tintorri has chosen handcrafted ornaments created by her family and friends over the years.

A handcrafted nativity and a holiday oriented quilt are included in the show, along with a handful of aged toys, games and Santa figurines.

Gibson Museum is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday afternoons from 1 to 5 p.m.

It is located across from Middletown’s Community Center at the intersection of Calistoga and Callayomi streets.

For further information write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 707-809-8009.