Oh, you Beautiful doll!

by Mary Jane Gauen

"Oh, You Beautiful Doll," has proved a continuing winner as an annual Evanston Recreation Department special event. Originated in 1975, the First Annual Doll Show attracted about 25 youngsters who brought favorite dolls to compare and share with other children. The most recent show drew a crowd of 195 adults and children. Over the years the focus has gradually shifted to greater emphasis on exhibits and talks by adult collectors, although children continue to be very much involved and still bring dolls to be judged.

At all of the doll shows, children enter their dolls, at 50 cents each, in various categories. This charge goes to pay for awards, festive garlands of crepe paper and other decorations. Every entry receives a ribbon, labelled best-of-show, first, second, third or honorable mention. Divisions for judging have remained constant. The doll categories are always baby, modern, mechanical, foreign, antique, rag and miscellaneous.

At each show one or more new dolls are awarded at a drawing for children entering dolls. These "gift" dolls have been contributed by a local merchant, adult collectors or the center's Lay Advisory Board. Members from this Board also serve as judges for the competition.

From the first, the occasion cut across all age barriers. Each year several generations of doll lovers come together to share a common interest. Those attending have been primarily feminine, but a few boys also have taken part. The youngest participant so far has been aged 2 years and the oldest in her late 70's.

An appealing, activity for all ages

Mary Jane Gauen recently retired after fifteen years as Public Information Director for the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department for the City of Evanston. A tireless advocate for Evanston Recreation Services, she has been a strong contributor and supporter of IPRA magazine often assisting the magazine through her willingness to share her expertise and professional effort. We wish her a pleasant and productive retirement.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 8 July/August 1982

Being a participant is enough to wear anyone out!

Starting with the second doll show, adult collectors were invited to exhibit and provided tables to hold their displays without charge. They bring antique dolls, storybook dolls, Shirley Temple dolls. Barbie dolls, foreign dolls and other unusual specimens.

These collectors have been a gracious source of information about their dolls and eager to share their expert knowledge with interested collectors and would-be collectors of all ages. At earlier shows they merely discussed dolls informally at their exhibit area. Recently, however, they have given formal presentations about their collecting specialties to a seated audience. Expert speakers have also included an individual who makes porcelain doll heads that are custom sculpted to resemble a real child who is to be the recipient, someone who makes bodies for such dolls and an expert on renovating antique doll clothes. To encourage adult participation, "thank-you" plaques are presented to those who take part for three years.

The first doll show was the inspiration of Susan Christao when she was a leader at Evanston's Chandler Leisure Center. She continued the annual doll shows after being transferred to Robert Crown Community Center, also operated by the Evanston Recreation Department, until her resignation (currently she teaches recreation crafts, creative dramatics and puppetry in the recreation sequence at the College of DuPage, Wheaton, IL). Since her departure, the doll shows have been directed by Joyce Brown, a succeeding leader on the Robert Crown Community Center staff.

Originals and skillful copies—all dolls!

Joyce notes that twice the doll show has been conducted concurrently with a large benefit flea market staged by the center's Lay Advisory Board. In both instances, she noted the popularity of the flea market insured larger crowds for the doll show. However, this has also been a mixed blessing. The flea market features so many vendors that the doll show was assigned, of necessity, to a smaller room just when attendance became greater.

But, whether the room is large or small, staged independently or in conjunction with another activity, the Annual Doll Show has now become a tradition with a loyal following, increased by newcomers each year, who come to celebrate the day "their" hobby is spotlighted. And, doll collectors of all ages seem to be multiplying.

Because a doll show is relatively unusual, press coverage each year has been excellent. Twice the occasion even inspired an editor to tie the show in with a feature page devoted entirely to stories about dolls. This coverage has been extended afterward with stories and photos of the winners.

Illinois Porks and Recreation 9 July/August 1982