From porcelain and rag dolls to Barbie and American Girl, a new exhibit at the Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) features a charming collection of dolls, doll houses, miniatures and toys in “All Dolled Up: 200 Years of Dolls and Miniatures.”
The exhibit opens Thursday, Oct. 3 at the Cleveland History Center in University Circle.
Portions of the exhibit include dolls or objects displayed alongside their life-sized counterparts, while other vignettes will open a window into the secret (and tiny) world of dolls. Visitors will explore themes of play and childhood, and experience how dolls elicit core memories today. Themes of play and childhood will spark memories for visitors, young and old.
The exhibition be open for one year. It includes a room for families to play and experience dolls, hands-on. The public is invited to the Film Viewing Party and Exhibition Grand Opening on Thursday, Oct. 3 from 5-8 p.m. The event is included with museum general admission. WRHS members are admitted free.
Following the exhibition opening, the museum will host a private screening of the Netflix documentary Black Barbie. Produced by Shondaland and directed by Lagueria Davis, the film highlights the groundbreaking work of three Black women—Beulah Mae Mitchell, Kitty Black Perkins, and Stacey McBride-Irby—who played a crucial role in creating the first Black Barbie in 1980. The documentary examines how Barbie evolved from a singular figure to an inclusive icon, emphasizing the importance of representation in children’s toys.
Advance registration is encouraged at cletix.com.
In a related event, join Patty Edmonson and Mary Mahoney on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 2-4 p.m. for “All Dolled Up: Cookies, Coffee and Conversation.”
Mary Mahoney is a historian, podcaster, writer, and cultural critic. She is a co-host of the Dolls of our Lives podcast which revisits the American Girls series, book by book. This show, which has been featured in The New York Times , A.V. Club, Book Riot, The Paris Review and other outlets. It also investigates the historical stories offered by the brand for what they reveal about the eras in which they’re set and the decades that produced them (the 1980s/1990s). In 2023, she released “Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can’t Quit American Girl.” Combining history, travelogue and memoir, “Dolls of Our Lives” follows Allison Horrocks and Mary Mahoney on an unforgettable journey to the past as they delve into the origins of this iconic brand.
Patty Edmonson, WRHS Curator of Costume and Textiles will speak with Mahoney about her new project and the nostalgia around American Girl dolls. Afterward, guests may purchase Mary’s book, have it signed, and join Patty and Mary for a tour of the exhibition, All Dolled Up: 200 Years of Dolls and Miniatures. The program is free with admission. Advance registration requested at cletix.com.
