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Show Museum's doll collection dates back to the 1 930s By LAURA GOLDEN Assistant Lifestyle Editor The Daily Herald Several of the women who live at 246 N. MX) East. Provo. are more than I(K) years old. And if these women could speak, they would probably relate timeless tales of what life w as like back in the days before computers and fast food. But they only speak in the minds of those who cherish them. Welcome to the McCurdy Doll Museum. d Those who visit the home on this quiet street are sure to view an array of 3.000 dolls, including the antique collection once owned by Laura McCurdy. Most of what the museum holds includes composition dolls from the 1930s. Laura McCurdy. who died at age 96, was the instigator of the first doll club in America, based in Utah. Born in 880, she was a school teacher and she started collecting dolls in 1910 in order to use them as teaching tools, recalls Shirley Paxman, museum director. "Mrs. McCurdy was kind of an about 50 years early feminist ahead of her time," Paxman notes, pointing at bookcases full of dolls. "She wanted a doll representing a famous women from every country in the world, so a lot of those are. "All of her dolls were really to teach people, they were educational tools," Paxman explains. "They were never children's toys, although many of the dolls we have here are." Laura McCurdy 's doll collection totaled 800. Some of her most prized dolls are the women of the Bible, which she meticulously dressed and cared for. The McCurdy collection is beautifully preserved inside the museum. Paxman and her husband. Don, have made painstaking efforts to maintain and upkeep the old carriage house, built in 1894. which plays home to all multi-storie- 1 WOMEN: (Continued from Page 121) are in any way connected with polygamy. Hence some of the best workers will have to be left out publicly..." Utah women regained suffrage in 1896. In March, 1895. the Utah Constitutional Convention opened. The political rights of women became the most bitterly-fougissue. Women leaders visited elected male delegates to see if they intended to put women's suffrage in the proposed Utah State Constitution. Their ht of the figures. Two dolls in particular are recognized in this centennial year: Patty Reeds Doll and Betsy Buttons. In 1846, Patty Reed traveled with the Donner Party across the plains to California. She carried with her a wooden doll, called "Dolly." The doll is now the sol'. survivor of 60850 W, Mm (ffiffimsm 4i those early pioneers. Paxman knows the Donner story well: "They got delayed a little bit so by the time they got into Nevada, to the foot of the Sierras, it was already snowing, which was really unusual," she describes. "So they couldn't go on." It was there that the journey became fatal for some of the Donner Party. (imummi $) t. I'il'Hlf'JI'il'ifi lij.ili r-- 11 il-- i 1 Mr My Nutnh Today the original "Dolly" has made her home at the Sutter's Fort Museum in Sacramento, Calif. Her replica and books about her travels across the plains are available at the McCurdy museum. "She is the most popular, the most frequently visited doll in America." Paxman notes. "It's a wonderful memento of that journey." The McCurdy Doll Museum is also home to a Betsy Buttons replica, made by Erla Young, the author of the Betsy Buttons book. "Erla Young is a descendent of Eliza Jane Young, who carried the doll." the Franki Valli & the Four Seasons July 22-2- arguments convinced the male leaders. But many objected. Male delegates worried that including women's suffrage in the constitution would be rejected bv Congress who considered women's suffrage "too radical" and that women involved in politics would lose their "domestic virtues." Women persevered. A provision was added in the Utah State Constitution declaring: "The rights of the State of Utah to v ote and hold office shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex. Both male and female citizens of this State shall equally enjoy all civil, political and religious rights and privileges." uT 4 director explains. Eliza Jane traveled with LDS Church President Brigham Young. "She was a small girl. 8- - or when she came with Brigham Young's party. She wanted a companion and asked her mother to make her a doll." Paxman recalls the story. "All her mother had was a bit of fabric, a little bit of red yarn and some buttons." Paxman said the original Betsy Buttons doll is still in existence today, owned by a member of the Young family. "There are lots of wonderful pioneer dolls." Paxman savs. r v r S oJTYD Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra Gary Lewis June Sept 6Ien CamPbeI1 Aug. 26-2- 7 Stthe Playboys 17-1- 8 16-1- 7 Stars of Lawrence Welk Kathryn Grayson Featuring: Sandi Griffiths 51 Jack Intel May Aug. 19-2- 0 20-2- 1 Plus the Best of Theatre YESTERDAY: A Tribute to the Beatles 7 fez Sept 16 Events! Gift 2-- 3 $29.75 Adult 5)15.75 Om.10-- 5 uiiia Weekdays |