Miniatures have been around since ancient times, but the dollhouse and fine scale miniature hobby reached a zenith in popularity in the early 1970s. Stores selling miniature furniture, accessories and kits for the everyday person popped up across the county, and enthusiasts desiring to share their work with one another established local, national and international clubs and organizations.

Tucson was no exception; by 1975, there were a few miniature stores in the city. Irene Kahn, a proprietor of one of the miniature stores called the Treasure Hunt, started taking names of patrons who were interested in forming a club. This led to a meeting of approximately thirty-seven people, who desired to share their passion for miniatures. The group initially met once a month, each time at a different member’s home, to talk about and create miniatures. Before long, the grouped dubbed themselves the Tucson Miniature Society (TMS).

TMS members wanted to share their creations and enthusiasm for miniatures outside of their circle, so they decided to have a miniature yard sale at a member’s home. Community response was encouraging and in April 1977, the group resolved to establish a formal show and sale. They identified a proper venue and agreed to donate proceeds from the show and sale to a children’s charity. They eventually adopted Square & Compass Crippled Children’s Clinic (later renamed Comstock Children’s Foundation) which they supported through 2014. TMS became an official section 501(C)3 charitable organization in 2016. Currently, TMS has thirty-five active members who meet monthly to create and share their miniatures.

In 2016 after a two-year hiatus, TMS collaborated with The Mini Time Machine Museum to present the Tucson Miniature Showcase, a newly branded show and sale. At that time the club decided to donate the proceeds from the Showcase to The Mini Time Machine. The museum is grateful to TMS for continuing to support collections care and management, acquisitions, and exhibitions since that time.

Each year the Tucson Miniature Showcase has a theme and competition. This year’s theme was Books and Nooks.  First, second and third place prizes were awarded in three categories: Theme (Books and Nooks), General, and for the first time, Small Scales. Prizes are awarded based on votes by visitors to the show.