Directors of the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art announced this week that the 20-year-old museum will be going out of business next year.

The museum, located at 116 108th Ave. N.E., opened in September, 1992. Combining the best of Victorian-style and modern construction, the building took two years to complete and includes a library, store, community room and garden.

Director, Rosalie Whyel’s doll collection, toys, miniatures, doll houses, teddy bears and clothing were exhibited in both permanent and changing galleries.

From the coveted “Jumeau award” presented at the World Congress of Dolls in Paris, 1994, to “Business Innovation and Tourism” award from the Bellevue Chamber of Congress, the doll museum was acclaimed locally and internationally.

“We have worked for several years trying to ensure a future for the museum,” Whyel said. “It is unfortunate so many doll museums have closed their doors in the last few years. We were hoping not to be one of them.”

But after 20 years, Whyel said it’s been a good run.

“We intend to enjoy the coming months to the fullest,” she said.