Through the years dolls have been some of the most favourite toys of childhood and the whole family will want to see the special doll exhibit at DesBrisay Museum on June 19.

 This exhibit, by collector Judith Curtis of Dartmouth's Mayflower Doll Club, represents the last 100 years of dolls from North America and Europe and is guaranteed to bring back precious childhood memories.

 Ms Curtis' collection includes dolls from the early part of the 20th century: fashion dolls, including a few Barbie dolls, "artist dolls" by well-known doll makers such as Lenci and contemporary doll makers and "play dolls" of the kind still loved by little girls (and their moms!). She has dolls made of cloth, composition and vinyl, a few with china or "bisque" heads and even paper dolls.

 As doll collectors know, a doll is much more than a miniature representation of a person. It is something common to every region, culture and time period and the roles dolls can play are limited only by one's imagination.

 The year 2011 will be the 100th anniversary of the Canadian doll industry. The Eaton Beauty Doll was introduced in 1911 and DesBrisay Museum has in its reference library the T. Eaton catalogue from 1914, featuring a page of Eatons' dolls available for sale.

 Children and adults are invited to bring along their own special doll and children will be able to make their own paper doll to take home.

  DesBrisay Museum's summer exhibit, "DesBrisay's Curiosities," continues through September 13 and the museum offers "Saturday Collections" each Saturday in June and July.

 Admission is free on Saturdays, compliments of local sponsors. For more information visit http://www.desbrsiaymuseum.ca.

posted on 06/15/10