Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1985.17.08.01 |
Object Name |
Doll |
Date |
1930 |
Features |
Cloth doll (0.1) with embroidered blue eyes, pink cheeks, red mouth and black eyelashes, and embroidered black sock and shoe outlines. Off white silk short pants (0.2). Remnants of synthetic blond hair stitched to head with yellow thread. Head and body are one piece with legs and arms attached. One arm is bent by design. |
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, however was not suited to it due to a hay allergy that resulted in her having to wear long heavy clothes at the height 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 Institute Ryerson University Vancouver British Columbia Lennox and Addington Historical Society Lennox and Addington County Museum Allan Macpherson House Humane Society Calgary Alberta |