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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Colonial Era American Female Doll
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Colonial Era American Female Doll

Artifact IDMO 2022.1.6
Object Type Manikin, Teaching
Possible Maker (American, 1935 - 1942)
Dateca. 1935-1942
Mediumpaper (papier-mâché), paint, fabric (cotton, acetate ?)
Dimensionsoverall H 14 1/4 in x W 7 in x D 3 3/4 in (36.2 cm x 17.8 cm x 9.5 cm )
Physical DescriptionA Works Progress Administration (WPA) visual education doll of an American colonial era female. Made of papier-mâché and cloth, with painted features, the doll is wearing a blue gown over a white petticoat and white pantaloons. The neck and sleeves of the gown are trimmed with white lace. A white fabric tag sewn to the interior bottom hem of the gown has the typed word “COLONIAL.” On her head, the doll is wearing a removable white lace mob cap, and her feet are shod in black buckled shoes.
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. Dolls representing historic eras, like this one, were designed to educate children on different historical periods 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 StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view