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December 22, 2009

Childhood recalled in exhibit

By Patricia Breakey
Delhi News Bureau

WALTON _ A well-loved Raggedy Ann doll sits on an antique settee waiting for her little girl to come back and sit down beside her to look at the Christmas tree.

Under the tree, an assortment of toys representing several eras of playthings may be the beginning of an annual tradition at the Walton Historical Society.

When Terry Rogers was appointed historian earlier this month, there was no holiday display planned.

After the Christmas tree went up in the front parlor, he suggested the board members search their homes for toys.

Society President Elinor Oles found treasures waiting in her home. Oles lives in the same house her mother lived, so there are generations of belongings stored in the attic.

Rogers said Oles brought in her childhood dolls that were still in a little Vogue Dolls Inc. steamer trunk with all of their clothes.

She also contributed Howdy Doody earmuffs and an electric projector labeled National Plastic Corp. that looks like a precursor for the View-Master.

“We have been having so much fun,” Rogers said. “Just hearing Elinor laugh while she was changing her dolls’ clothes was priceless. We all go back to our childhoods now and then.”

Rogers found his old Mickey Mouse Club ears, his brother Scott’s fire truck, his mother’s Yankee Clipper sled and a Dukes of Hazzard car.

Treasurer Dave Carroll said he brought in his daughter’s handmade wooden rocking horse.

The eclectic collection includes a rusted tricycle from the early 1900s, a jar of marbles, Donald Duck stuffed animals, antique cast-iron toys, a hound dog pull-toy from 1938 and numerous other items.

“The toys on display are just from the board members,” Rogers said. “But we would welcome anything anyone would like to bring in — either to donate to the historical society or just to loan for the toy show.”

Carroll and Rogers began to talk about other toy treasures they know of throughout Walton, including elaborate train layouts and doll collections.

“Someone said this was the best idea I ever had,” Rogers said, laughing. “But it would be wonderful to make this an annual event where people could showcase old and unusual toys.”

Rogers said any toy from any era is welcome, but some of the older, rarer ones would be wonderful to see.

He listed the toys that are not represented, including skates, board games, a ball, a jack-in the- box or a doll carriage.

Rogers noted that the Barbie doll is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and the Kewpie doll first appeared 100 years ago. An original Cabbage Patch doll is 30 years old.

Rogers said he would like to mount a larger collection next year and perhaps showcase the toys under a tree covered with antique ornaments, so he is hoping that people will keep the historical society in mind.

The toys will be on display until mid January when another exhibit is scheduled to begin. The Walton Historical Society is located at 9 Townsend St. and is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and by appointment during the week.

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