c. 1920s

African-American Painted Doll

Everyday life for younger residents usually involves toys for both education and entertainment. This particular doll is very special. At a time when it was difficult or perhaps impossible to find dolls that were not Caucasian, families would buy a doll and then paint it a darker skin tone. This doll was painted in the 1920s to resemble an African-American girl to whom she belonged.