An extraordinary donation, nine miniature rooms, and a very long road trip!
I'm excited to share one of the newest additions to the All Things Miniature Museum collection: all nine of the incredible Clue-inspired room boxes created by miniature artist Kate Davenport Hilgenberg of Davenport 1:12 Construction!
If you're familiar with the classic board game Clue, you know the setting: a mansion filled with intriguing rooms, suspicious characters, and the question everyone wants answered: “Was it Colonel Mustard in the Library with the candlestick?!?”
Kate took that familiar concept and created nine individual room boxes in 1:12 scale, each with its own distinctive personality, architectural details, furnishings, and, of course, a hidden murder weapon. Her interpretations are imaginative, beautifully constructed, and full of little details that reward a closer look.
And now the entire collection is in Salem!
Finding a New Home
I first learned that Kate was looking for a new home for her Clue rooms when she posted in one of the miniature groups I am in on Facebook. Naturally, I threw my hat into the ring!
Kate was considering where she wanted the collection to go, and I was thrilled at the possibility of bringing the rooms to the museum, to be shared to all. Having all nine together would create a wonderful exhibit, especially for visitors who might be discovering the world of fine miniatures for the first time.
There was, however, one small logistical challenge: Kate lives south of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The museum is in Salem, Oregon. That's a long way to transport nine delicate miniature rooms! When I told Kate I was willing to drive out and pick them up personally, I think that helped seal the deal. She generously agreed to donate the complete collection to the museum and was kind enough to hold the rooms until I could arrange the trip.
Road Trip!
The journey took three and a half days each way, with an additional day set aside to meet Kate and carefully pack the rooms for the return trip. Was it a lot of driving? Absolutely. Was it worth it? Without question!
One of the best parts of the trip was getting to meet Kate in person - she’s delightful! She invited me to lunch at her home, and we had a wonderful visit. I also got to see her studio, which is always a special treat. I love seeing how other miniature artists organize their workspaces, what tools they use, and what projects they're working on.
Kate's background in interior design is evident in her work. She has a wonderful eye for architectural detail, proportion, and the little touches that make a miniature room feel convincing. She also incorporates modern techniques, including laser cutting and 3D printing, alongside more traditional methods of miniature construction.
Seeing the place where these remarkable rooms were created made the visit even more enjoyable.
And There Was a Surprise…
As if donating the entire Clue collection wasn't generous enough, Kate offered another of her creations to the museum: her Adobe Casita.
Of course, I said yes!
Adobe architecture isn't something we see much of here in the Pacific Northwest, and that's part of what makes this additional piece so exciting. I want the museum to introduce visitors to a wide range of architectural styles, artistic approaches, and miniature-making techniques. The Casita will be a wonderful addition to that experience.
Why This Collection Matters
One of my goals for the All Things Miniature Museum is to showcase the incredible range of talent within the miniature community.
Kate's Clue rooms are a perfect example. They combine traditional miniature craftsmanship with contemporary tools, creative design, and a familiar theme that visitors of all ages can enjoy.
I can already imagine people examining each room, looking for the hidden weapons, and discussing their favorite details. It's the kind of exhibit that invites visitors to spend time looking, and then look again because they've spotted something they missed the first time.
I'm especially grateful that Kate chose to donate these pieces and allow us to keep the collection together. Her generosity will give many more people an opportunity to enjoy and appreciate her work. And I'm delighted that we can add the Adobe Casita to the museum's growing collection as well.
Thank you, Kate, for your trust, your generosity, a wonderful lunch, and the chance to visit your studio!
I can't wait for everyone to see these extraordinary miniatures when the museum opens, and in the meantime, you can hear Kate in her own words about her project here, OR follow her on Instagram to see what she is working on now!
Stay tuned! I'll be sharing more photographs of the Clue rooms, a closer look at Kate's craftsmanship, and updates on our progress toward opening the All Things Miniature Museum in Salem, Oregon.
