Holiday Exhibition: Two Centuries of Dolls
Open through the Holidays until early January.
Dolls used to be the ultimate birthday or Holiday gift for little girls, while boys would be presented with trains and erector sets. The gift of a doll often included related paraphernalia such as dolls’ clothing, furniture, and doll houses. During economic hardship, dolls were fashioned at home from rags, corn husks, and/or whittled from wood, and only the wealthy could afford store-bought dolls, especially elaborate examples with hair and fancy clothing. Girls were given dolls to introduce them to the role of motherhood and caring for a family. These dolls were treasured and often handed down within families.
Enjoy a trip down memory lane at the museum’s Holiday exhibition featuring all types of dolls. From the vast collection in the museum’s vaults, the exhibition team has curated a display of dolls from the 1800s to today.
Visitors will delight in seeing dolls from around the world and from many different periods! Starting with German dolls featuring heads made from china/porcelain, to Barbies and (almost) everything in between, visitors will see mid-century and Cabbage Patch dolls, Story Book dolls from around the world . . . as well as rag, nursery rhyme, Presidential, Madame Alexander, Gerber and Sugar Britches dolls, too. Antique and vintage doll furniture, clothing, and accessories will also be on display.
This rotating exhibition will be open through the Holidays until early January.
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