Colleen Moore’s “Fairy Castle” on display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, IL.
"Fairy Castle"
Colleen Moore was a popular 1920’s silent film star. In her personal life, Moore’s passion
was assembling and furnishing fantasy dollhouses. In 1928 she began work on the castle
seen here. She utilized the talents of Hollywood filmmakers and at least a hundred skilled
craftsmen on the project. The castle features fully furnished rooms with exquisitely detailed miniatures, some adorned with real gold and precious stones. The exhibit has been valued as high as 7 million dollars. Moore worked on the project for 60 years until her death in 1988. This museum and exhibit are “must-sees” if you are in Chicago.
was assembling and furnishing fantasy dollhouses. In 1928 she began work on the castle
seen here. She utilized the talents of Hollywood filmmakers and at least a hundred skilled
craftsmen on the project. The castle features fully furnished rooms with exquisitely detailed miniatures, some adorned with real gold and precious stones. The exhibit has been valued as high as 7 million dollars. Moore worked on the project for 60 years until her death in 1988. This museum and exhibit are “must-sees” if you are in Chicago.
Historical Photomerge Process
I should subtitle this one as the “unplanned photomerge.” I was chaperoning my son and
two classmates on a school field trip of the museum. As we walked into the exhibit I spotted a fabulous archival photo of Moore sitting in her beloved castle so I snapped a shot. As we began to leave the exhibit it dawned on me that if I could get at a similar angle as the archival shot I might have a photomerge on my hands. So I snapped a few shots and hoped for the best. Normally lining up the two shots takes lots of pre-planning.
two classmates on a school field trip of the museum. As we walked into the exhibit I spotted a fabulous archival photo of Moore sitting in her beloved castle so I snapped a shot. As we began to leave the exhibit it dawned on me that if I could get at a similar angle as the archival shot I might have a photomerge on my hands. So I snapped a few shots and hoped for the best. Normally lining up the two shots takes lots of pre-planning.
I deeply appreciate Colleen Moore’s eye for detail and wanting to share her castle with the
public. It reminds me a great deal of Walt Disney’s creativity behind Disneyland. That same joy of crafting fantasy that brings a smile is what drives me to produce historical
photomerges.
public. It reminds me a great deal of Walt Disney’s creativity behind Disneyland. That same joy of crafting fantasy that brings a smile is what drives me to produce historical
photomerges.
Sources / Learn More
There is so much to this fascinating story. Click links below to learn and see more.
Colleen Moore entry on Wikipedia
Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) Chicago
MSI Fairytale Castle page
Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) Chicago
MSI Fairytale Castle page
