The Museum’s recreation of a child’s bedroom features furniture specifically designed for small children. A maple bed and cherry wood chest of drawers circa 1860 are accompanied by a number of clothes, shoes, and accessories. Prior to the 1930s, manufactured clothing was not readily available, so most children living in rural areas wore clothes made by their mothers. Women would often make alterations to adult clothes or use hand-me-down clothing for the younger siblings.
Unique items in the collection include a bentwood Oriole baby carriage circa 1915 and a boys’ “Little Lord Fauntleroy” special occasion suit from the 1890s. This was a very popular style of party attire for boys during the late nineteenth century. Stop by the Museum today to see what other styles were in fashion for children during this period.
The Museum has an impressive collection of antique children’s dolls and toys. Prior to the mass production of these items, dolls were often made from materials found around one’s home. Dolls are classified based on the material used to construct the head rather than what is used for the body. These categories include wood, cloth, China, and bisque, which is a type of porcelain. One of the oldest artifacts in the Museum is a wooden doll named Abbie that was made in 1745.
With the development of the Industrial Revolution, manufacturers began to mass-produce toys, making them more available across the country. Stores in rural areas like McMinn County advertised toy trains, rocking horses, marbles, and tea sets. Bring your young ones to the Museum to learn about the history of these artifacts and see how they differ from the toys they use today.
