About

Home to one of the most extensive and diverse collections of its kind, the Eloise Kruger Gallery of Miniatures celebrates the life and legacy of Lincoln collector Eloise Kruger, whose passion for the art of scale spanned more than half a century.

A Collector’s Vision

Beginning in the late 1930s, Eloise Kruger began acquiring works in scale from across the United States and beyond. She sought pieces through trade shows, catalogs, personal visits, and commissions, steadily building a remarkable collection estimated at over 20,000 objects. While the majority are crafted in 1:12 scale, the collection ranges from micro-scale works to 1:6 scale pieces, reflecting the full breadth of the field.

Kruger’s collection includes furniture, decorative arts, domestic interiors, architectural elements, and whimsical curiosities. Her collection captures changing tastes, craftsmanship techniques, and cultural trends across decades, preserving both traditional artistry and innovative design in scale.

Following her passing in 1995, her collection was generously donated to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, ensuring that her life’s passion would continue to educate and inspire future generations.

From Preservation to Public Engagement

For more than twenty years, the collection was stewarded by the UNL College of Architecture, where faculty and students photographed and cataloged 2,339 records—an essential foundation for long-term preservation and research.

In the early 2020s, the collection found a new home within the School of Global Integrative Studies (SGIS) under the leadership of Dr. Sophia Perdikaris. Recognizing the collection’s interdisciplinary potential, Dr. Perdikaris envisioned a dynamic, multifunctional space. Today, the gallery serves simultaneously as exhibition hall, collections storage, and—each spring semester—a hands-on classroom environment. Since its relocation, more than 1,000 additional catalog records have been created, expanding access for scholars and the public alike.

The Gallery Experience

The Eloise Kruger Gallery of Miniatures currently showcases over 2,000 individual pieces displayed in roomboxes and thematic exhibits. Each installation is thoughtfully curated by students, volunteers, interns, and staff, offering fresh perspectives and scholarly interpretation.

Visitors encounter richly detailed interiors, period furnishings, architectural vignettes, and imaginative scenes that reveal not only technical mastery but also stories of daily life, design history, and artistic expression. Every exhibit carries a narrative—about its maker, its era, or its cultural significance. We invite you to ask a staff member to learn more about the stories behind the scenes.

A Living Collection

More than a static display, the gallery is an active learning laboratory. Students engage directly with objects as part of coursework in history, material culture, museum studies, and global studies. Through cataloging, research, and curatorial projects, they contribute to the evolving scholarship surrounding the collection.

Eloise Kruger’s lifelong dedication has become a shared endeavor—connecting artistry with academic inquiry and community engagement.

Visit and Discover

Whether you are an enthusiast of fine craftsmanship, a student of design and history, or a curious visitor, The Eloise Kruger Gallery of Miniatures offers a rare opportunity to experience a world shaped in remarkable detail.

We welcome you to explore, to learn, and to discover the stories contained within this extraordinary collection.