Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Hawaiian Male Doll
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Hawaiian Male Doll

Artifact IDMO 2022.1.2
Object Type Manikin, Teaching
Possible Maker (American, 1935 - 1942)
Dateca. 1935-1942
Mediumpaper (papier-mâché), paint, shellac, fabric (oilcloth, cotton)
Dimensionsoverall H 13 1/2 in x W 7 in x D 3 1/4 in (34.3 cm x 17.8 cm x 8.3 cm )
Physical DescriptionA Works Progress Administration (WPA) visual education doll of a Hawaiian male. Made of papier-mâché, cloth, and oilcloth, with painted features, the doll is wearing an olive green sleeveless top and a multi-colored sarong (lavalava). A white fabric tag sewn inside the sarong has the typed words “ORIGINAL HAWAII.” Around the doll’s neck are red and white leis, and behind his left ear is a red flower.
Historical NoteThis doll was made by a Birmingham, Alabama branch of the New Deal’s Works Projects Administration (WPA), possibly the WPA Alabama Visual Education Project. Dolls were created as educational visual aids by various WPA handicraft and museum extension projects around the country. Ethnic dolls, like this one, were designed to educate children on the different cultures around the world and were made available in educational institutions such as schools and libraries.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Cheryl and Gerald Hale in 2021.
Credit LineGift of Cheryl and Gerald Hale
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesArtifacts Relating to the New Deal (National Archives Identifier 750981)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view