RVC's Phillips House Displays African Doll Collection

Throughout the month of February, The Phillips House on Hempstead Avenue celebrated Black History Month with an African doll exhibit featuring some dating back as far as the 1600s. The dolls were on display throughout the house for guests to view.

“It’s a genuinely unique collection of dolls through the years, from very old to very modern,” said Mary Jane Huseman, a board member of The Phillips House, which houses the Museum of Rockville Centre.

A private collector loaned all of the dolls on display to The Phillips House. The exhibit at the museum marked the first time that these pieces were publicly displayed.

The exhibit consisted of collectible pieces, as well as dolls that were intended for play. Made from materials like porcelain, leather and wax, the exhibit was carefully arranged to protect the dolls. However, there were also some fabric dolls in the collection that visitors were allowed to touch, with the help of the museum’s knowledgeable staff.

One such piece was a double-sided doll called the Topsy Turvey, originally made by a slave in the United States for her daughter to play with, explained Huseman, who showed visitors both sides. One side was designed to resemble a black child that slaves could identify with, and the other side was designed to resemble a white child — for use when a white master was present.

Huseman explained that since the museum is a common site for school trips, the doll exhibit has attracted many young visitors. “It has been a nice, steady group of visitors since the exhibit began,” she said. “We’ve had kids, families and tour groups come in.”

Huseman added that even those visitors that came with the intention of just seeing the house were pleased to take in the doll exhibit as well.

The Phillips House is open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Admission to the museum and all exhibits are free.