c. 1940

Works Progress Administration Dolls

During the Great Depression, the Works Progress Administration (renamed Work Projects in 1939) sought to employ citizens in public works projects. The majority were employed on construction projects (public buildings, roads, recreation facilities), however there were also "women's and professional" projects. Within this category Fort Wayne Schools created an "educational museum for school children" at the Hanna Homestead Children's Museum which included making dolls that were used as teaching aids in museums, libraries, and classrooms. The History Center's collection is home to 301 dolls made by WPA workers at the Children's Museum and were exhibited in its "costume room." Each doll was made to teach the visiting children about the culture it represented and are grouped into culturally specific or historical period male and female pairs. The museum project was sponsored by Fort Wayne Schools from 1938 to 1942, but the museum stayed open for student tours until the mid 1950's. The Historical Society acquired the dolls, historical artifacts and related records from the old Hanna home in 1959 after it was abandoned.