Portraits of Childhood: Black Dolls from the Collection of Deborah Neff

June 29, 2024 – March 3, 2025

Portraits of Childhood: Black Dolls from the Collection of Deborah Neff explores themes of race, gender, and identity through 135 handmade Black dolls dating from around 1850 to 1940 as well as almost 60 period photographs and paintings depicting dolls posed alongside both children and adults. A selection of more recent Black dolls from the Museum’s collection provides additional perspectives on the exhibition’s themes to consider. Educators, students, and community members are invited to respond to the exhibition thoughtfully and critically through visiting both independently and in organized groups, participating in workshops and facilitated conversations, and attending public lectures.

 

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Join The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures on February 6th and 7th, 2025, for a research symposium on the historical significance of Black dolls in America, c. 1850-present. This symposium is part of programming for the exhibition Portraits of Childhood: Black Dolls from the Collection of Deborah Neff, on view through March 3, 2025, and will feature a lecture by keynote speaker Dr. Tiya Miles.

Tiya Miles is the author of eight books, including four prize-winning histories about race and slavery in the American past. Her latest work is the biography Night Flyer: Harriet Tubman and the Faith Dreams of a Free People. Her 2021 National Book Award winner, All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake, was a New York Times bestseller that won eleven historical and literary prizes, including the Cundill History Prize and the Frederick Douglass Prize. All That She Carried was named A Best Book of the Year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, NPR, Publisher’s Weekly, The Atlantic, Time, and more.

LEARN MORE about the symposium, its call for papers, and grant funding for researchers at https://toyandminiaturemuseum.org/event/tiya-miles-black-dolls-symposium/

REGISTER for the keynote lecture here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tiya-miles-tickets-978446829807

 

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Join The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures for an inspiring conversation with Brit Bennett.

Brit Bennett is the New York Times best-selling author of the dazzling coming of age novel The Mothers and the National Book Award nominated novel, The Vanishing Half. Already a much buzzed about social commentator, well-known for her powerful personal essays, Bennett is one of today’s most exciting new voices in literary fiction. Her lectures are as unflinching and memorable as her writing and give audiences a window into her craft while exploring broader themes of race and systemic injustice.

REGISTER for this event at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-conversation-with-brit-bennett-tickets-950412719027

 

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Join Karen E. Griffin (KE), Artist in Residence at Englewood Arts Center, for the next Make and Sip at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures!

An opportunity to connect with the exhibition Portraits of Childhood: Black Dolls from the Collection of Deborah Neff in a memorable way, participants will create a 2D art piece reflecting on the meaning of clothing and its relationship to identity. In this handcrafted experience, attendees will form 1-14”L x 11”W art piece using a dress pattern designed by Griffin, fabric, glue, buttons, and rickrack. No experience required. Bring your imagination and joyful heART.

Art supplies, wine, and light refreshments will be provided.

REGISTER for the Make and Sip at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/989213613547

 

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This exhibition would not be possible without the incredible support and collaboration generously shared by the following individuals and sponsors:

Advisory Group
Dr. Deja Jontelle Beamon
Keichanda Dees-Burnett
Natasha Ria El-Scari
Tiana Ford
Morgana Wilborn

Interpretation Writers
Kyra Afolabi
Dr. Deja Jontelle Beamon
Phyllis Becker
NedRa Bonds
Dr. Antonio Byrd
Adrianne Clayton
Natasha Ria El-Scari
Tiana Ford
Karen E. Griffin (KE)
Sheri Hall
Dr. Roland A. Hemmings Jr.
Iyanna Moss
Glenn North
Josephine Sebunyenzi
Lanisha Stevens
Sonié Joi Thompson-Ruffin
Morgan Wafer-Lyman
Dr. Carmaletta M. Williams

Exhibition Sponsors

This project is supported in part by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund and the Hall Family Foundation.

 

Photographs of the Deborah Neff Collection

Ellen McDermott Photography, New York.