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Brown shows antique dolls at museum

By Corienne Dally

Jul. 3, 2025 4:45 pm

Barbara Brown shows a doll made from a woman's stocking durig a presentation at the Iowa County Pioneer Heritage Museum in Marengo in June. (Submitted photo)
Barbara Brown shows a doll made from a woman's stocking during a presentation at the Iowa County Pioneer Heritage Museum in Marengo in June. (Submitted photo)

Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.

MARENGO — Barbara Brown, of North English, showed dolls from her collection while giving a history of dolls at the Pioneer Heritage Museum in Marengo June 29.

Brown says she’s been accumulating dolls for decades and doesn’t subscribe to the theory that they’re haunted, frightening or even creepy. “Personally, I don’t think most dolls, antique dolls — or new dolls even — are creepy, but I know that some people do.”

Brown says dolls have gotten a bad rap. “Because I’m a psychiatrist, it is interesting to me to try to understand why some people think dolls are creepy,” she says, “and I talk a little bit about that and just give a general overview of antique dolls.”

Brown’s collection of dolls ranges from 1830 to 1930. Some are made of papier mache, wood, bisque and fabric.

Barbara Brown shows a French doll from the 1830s during a presentation at the Iowa County Pioneer Heritage Museum in Marengo. The doll represents a woman of wealth as shown by the apron, Brown said. (Submitted photo)
Barbara Brown shows a French doll from the 1830s during a presentation at the Iowa County Pioneer Heritage Museum in Marengo. The doll represents a woman of wealth as shown by the apron, Brown said. (Submitted photo)

Brown has been known to travel to many national conventions for dolls.

“I have a great many interests, including collecting antique dolls,” says Brown. “I particularly like to repair dolls and make costumes for them that are appropriate to the time the doll was made.”

Brown presented a variety of dolls of different styles, materials and ages in Marengo. Brown repaired several old dolls while she was there.

Barbara Brown, of North English, shows a hand painted doll during a presentation in Marengo. Brown has been collecting dolls for decades. (Submitted photo)
Barbara Brown, of North English, shows a hand painted doll during a presentation in Marengo. Brown has been collecting dolls for decades. (Submitted photo)
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