Philadelphia Doll Museum: A Unique Perspective on History
by
Stacey Montgomery, editor, CelebratingChildren.com.
During
African-American History Month there are generally numerous activities
to attend that explore different aspects of African-American history
and culture. However, it is sometimes difficult to find activities
that a young child will be able to appreciate. The Philadelphia
Doll Museum is a place where people of all ages, male and female,
will be entertained and at the same time get a lesson in African-American
history. Moreover, the Philadelphia Doll Museum is open all year
around-not just in February!
As
you step into the small gallery, both you and your child's eyes
will widen with amazement-a room filled with hundreds of dolls!
Baby dolls, BarbieTM dolls (actually, Barbie's African-American
friend Christie), Cabbage Patch® dolls, rag dolls, porcelain
dolls, dolls that move, dolls that speak. If you are worried that
your son will not enjoy a doll museum-- several "action figures"
are also a part of the collection! Your child will be excited
just to see so many different dolls in one place. For you, the
delightful memories of childhood that the dolls in the Philadelphia
Doll Museum conjure will quickly be accompanied by pride, as you
note that each doll reflects a person of African descent and thereby
provides a glimpse of the richness of African and African-American
culture. Barbara Whiteman, founder and Executive Director, boasts
that the Philadelphia Doll Museum is the "only known museum in
the United States that emphasizes the collection and preservation
of Black dolls as artifacts of history." The 300-doll museum is
organized chronologically into several "collections." The first
collection features dolls from Africa. Ms. Whiteman explains,
"The tour begins with dolls from Africa because life and all beginnings
start in Africa." Dolls from Africa include Ashante dolls from
West Africa and Ndebede dolls from South Africa. The "Antique
Collection" displays dolls that are over 100 years old. Ms. Whiteman
traveled around the world finding the dolls that constitute the
"International Collection." It includes dolls from Australia,
Brazil, England, Italy and Germany. The collection includes dolls
based on celebrities such as Flip Wilson, Diana Ross, and TV characters
such as Diahann Carroll's Juila, Marla Gibbs' Florence and, yes,
Jaleel White's irrepressible Urkel. Both the subject matter and
Ms. Whiteman's engaging presentation have caused the Philadelphia
Doll Museum to quickly become a favorite school field trip as
well as a stop for many conventioneers and tourists. Parents and
educators enjoy bringing children to the museum because the combination
of entertainment and educational value allow children to learn
about history in an exciting atmosphere. As you tour the museum
and listen to Ms. Whiteman's presentation, you will be surprised
by how much history the dolls represent. Indeed, Ms. Whiteman
not only educates the visitor about the history and craft of doll-making,
but she also discusses dolls as reflections of contemporary political
and cultural realities. The doll theme of the museum makes the
learning experience that much more fun. Located near Temple University,
about 10 minutes from Center City, the Philadelphia Doll Museum
provides a unique perspective of history, different from that
provided by the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and Valley Forge
Park. In addition to its rich exhibits, the museum provides a
gift shop with unusual Afrocentric products and a research library
that offers books on doll history, doll artists and doll collecting.
The little museum's extensive resources will entertain and enrich
both Philadelphia residents and tourists. The Philadelphia Doll
Museum is located at 2253 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA; 215/787-0220.
It is open from Thursday through Saturday from 10:00-4:00 and
Sunday 12:00-4:00.CC
CelebratingChildren.com
offers articles, books, tips, gifts, etc. primarily for parents
of African American children under age 10.
