Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1985.17.13.01-.07 |
Object Name |
Doll |
Date |
1930 |
Features |
Doll with composition head, arms, and lower legs attached to stuffed cloth body. Composition elements are painted a light pink/beige colour. Molded orange blond hair. Doll has blue glass sleep eyes, painted black eyelashes radiating from lids surmounted by brown eyebrows, two red dots for nostrils, open mouth with painted red lips, tongue and two white teeth. There is a speaker mounted within the back of the doll so that doll cries when squeezed. Doll is wearing a thin white cotton chemise, a pair of white socks with three horizontal blue stripes, white laced leather boots. On the dolls head is a gold coloured bonnet with lace edging and cotton ties. |
Object Story |
Doris Alberta Brown, who played with this doll as a child, was born on her family homestead 'River Valley Farm', located on Palace road in Napanee. She was born October 24, 1928 to Emily Dingman Brown (nee Unger) and Ross A. Brown. Her best friend growing up was Helen Martin, who enjoyed playacting together. Doris attended elementary school just down the road from her home, however was ready to attend high school at age 11. She was able to graduate from Napanee Distract Collegiate Institute by the age of 14. Growing up Doris worked on the farm growing up, however was not suited to it due to a hay allergy that resulted in her having to wear long heavy clothes at the hight of summer. As early as her parents would allow, Doris took off to live in the big city: Toronto. While living in Toronto she rode subways, made new friends, and while wearing high heels even thwarted a mugger. Eventually she took a job as secretary to the Dean of Ryerson University, where she met her husband artist Stuart Connolloy. After Toronto the couple moved to Vancouver, British Columbia before moving back to London, Ontario. In 1975 they moved back to Napanee to her family farm. Back in her home town Doris had an active life in the community, she was a member of the Lennox and Addington Historical Society, was a curator of the Allan Macpherson House, worked for the Lennox and Addington County Museum, was a dog walker for the Humane Society and more. In 2012, Doris moved to Calgary where she lived until her death in 2019. At this time she had 4 children, 7 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. |
People |
Connolly, Doris Alberta (nee Brown) Brown, Ross Brown, Emily Dingam (nee Ungur) Martin, Helen Connolly, Stuart |
Subjects |
Dolls Toys |
Search Terms |
River Valley Farm Palace Road, Napanee Napanee Napanee District Collegiate Instiute Ryerson University Vancouver British Columbia Lennox and Addington Historical Society Lennox and Addington County Museum Allan Macpherson House Humane Society Calgary Alberta |