DATE: Sunday, June 29, 1997                 TAG: 9706270281

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 07   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: COURTLAND                         LENGTH:   40 lines

TAKE A SIDE TRIP TO THE ROCHELLE-PRINCE HOUSE FOR A DOLL AND FURNITURE EXHIBIT

Some Bisque Head dolls are on display at the Rochelle-Prince House, heads made in the late 19th century in Germany and France, then shipped to our country and put on made-in-America bodies.

Note that some of the bodies are well made, some are not - just like real life.

They are part of a collection of antique dolls and furniture, on display at the Rochelle-Prince House. All were donated by Southampton County families, including a still sturdy high chair made in 1832.

Another attention-getter is a 75-year-old Morris chair. An equally antique doll sits placidly in it. The chair, named after English poet/artist, William Morris, is the forerunner of today's recliner.

Sitting on another chair is a photo of Martha Wrenn Briggs sitting on the chair when both were in their infancy.

Doll furniture occupies a fair amount of space at the Rochelle-Prince House, all of it contributed by Ann Pope of Courtland.

In addition to the 1832 high chair, there are two chairs on display that date between 1850 and 1900.

There are also two cradles, one with a claim that it has rocked four generations of babies.

``It originally belonged to Lewis and Caroline Thorpe,'' said Jeanne Pope, exhibit chairman. ``Their children used it, their grandchildren, and their great-granddaughter, Lynda Updike.''

The exhibit continues through the end of August. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Exhibit of antique furniture and dolls.\ WHEN: 2 to 4

p.m. the first and third Sunday of every month.\ WHERE:

Rochelle-Prince House, Main Street, Courtland.\ COST: Free\

FOR INFORMATION: Call (804) 658-4638.

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