Just in time for Halloween, the Two Mississippi Museums are ‘dolling’ out a new eerie exhibit.
Six dolls preserved over time will be on display for the entire month of October, providing a gloomy glimpse into children’s playthings from the past. From rag dolls to clown dolls, the creepy collection goes back to 1850 and was recently donated to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
“These dolls were donated by people who wanted to ensure their preservation for generations,” Two Mississippi Museums Director Michael Morris said. “We’re excited to share them with the public. Hopefully, this exhibition will inspire others to donate artifacts that help tell the stories in Mississippi history.”
Of the dolls included, one rag doll is the oldest in the group. According to the museum, it starkly contrasts the porcelain doll with its simple features and patchwork design. It was originally created for durability, which means a child could have dressed, dropped, carried, and even cuddled it.
Another doll included in the now-open exhibit is a clown doll that once formed part of the Humpty Dumpty circus set, a toy design made by the A. Schoenhut Company.
The Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for youth every day but Sunday, which does not require any admission costs.
