“Olde Deerfield Dolls”

From the collections of PVMA • Digital image © Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Assoc. • Image use information

About this item

The 1704 Deerfield Raid carried out by French and Indigenous soldiers from Canada has fascinated generations of New Englanders. By 1919, a combination of early 20th century romanticism and increased tourism had muted the raw terror of this event. These “Olde Deerfield” paper dolls transformed the traumatic experience of captives like seven-year-old Eunice Williams and her brother Stephen into a child’s woodland adventure. The imaginative depictions of Native American clothing are not accurate portrayals of Northeast Woodlands dress, but reveal instead a strong Plains tribes influence.  Likewise, the English clothing is inaccurate as well.

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Details

Item typeToy, Game
CreatorHyde, Matilda Strang; Old Deerfield Doll House
Date1919
PlaceDeerfield, Massachusetts
TopicSocial Activities, Entertainment, Recreation
Captives, Captivity
Native American
EraProgressive Era, World War I, 1900–1928
EventDeerfield Raid. February 29, 1704
MaterialPaper
Process/FormatPrinting
Dimension detailsHeight: 12.25 in Width: 9.75 in Height: 10.25 in
Catalog #L99.001
View this item in our curatorial database →
Hyde, Matilda Strang; Old Deerfield Doll House. Olde Deerfield Dolls. 1919. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l99-001/. Accessed on December 6, 2024.

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