First Dolls

Ohio History

Afro American Dolls

Besides its permanent historical exhibit, the National Afro American Museum also features specially-themed rotating exhibits that center on African American culture. On our first visit to the museum, we had the pleasure of viewing an exhibit of over 100 dolls spanning 200 years of history. Our journey began with the case above, showing the very earliest African American dolls of the collection. I can just imagine a small child sitting on the doorstep of a plantation shanty, cuddling the wooden doll on the far left in a blanket scrap. The likeness of the center front doll to a cotton-picking slave is remarkable. And I wouldn't be surprised if the right-hand doll were made of corn husks. It is amazing to see the ingenuity used to create such life-like playthings for the young generation.