More Than 1,500 Barbie Dolls Join The Strong Museum Collection
Wednesday March 3, 2004
The Strong Museum in Rochester, New York has recently added over 1,500 Barbie dolls (plus friends, clothing and accessories) to its already impressive doll collection.
The Strong Museum is also now known nationally as the National Museum of Play, and what doll collector wouldn't be in the mood for play with 1,500 Barbie dolls? The dolls were acquired from the collection of Georgia Rankin of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Barbie is already a fixture at the museum, as one of the 28 toys on display at the museum's National Toy Hall of Fame. At Toy Fair in February, the Museum had an impressive display highlighting the National Toy Hall of Fame and, of course, Barbies from vintage to modern were on hand to take part.
The Strong Museum has one of the most impressive collections and exhibits of dolls in the world, and if you are ever even remotely in the vicinity, the museum is worth the trip.
Comments
It was very nice to see this little “article” mentioning Georgia Rankin and her doll collection. Working in her doll/animations museum was pretty much my very first job…and how wonderful wonderful this woman was, and working for her was a dream. I will always adore her. It was somewhat sad to learn she was “closing shop” on her wonderful museum, but she deserved her retirement. It is nice to know that these 1,500 Barbies have a good home at the Strong Museum.
Sadly I just received word from family that she passed away on Tuesday (30 May 2006). She will be so dearly missed, but a vibrant part of my memories.
I knew Georgia also. A lovely woman and so much knowledge that she was willing to share. I miss her.