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Alma and Spencer Garlow Dolls Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 0156

Scope and Contents

The set of dolls in this collection, entitled An American Family, 1630-1900, was carved from horse chestnut wood by Helen Bullard. The set includes nine generations of couples, each at their age of marriage, and was designed to show a parade of ordinary middle class people, starting with the 17th century Puritan immigrants in Massachusetts. Bullard only made six sets of An American Family. This collection is registered with the National Institute of American Doll Artists. Also included is My People in Wood by Helen Bullard; and papers relating to the donation and transfer.

Dates

  • circa 1962

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information. Please see our Sensitive Materials Statement.

Biographical or Historical Information

Alma Garlow was a long-time resident of Greensboro and a 1934 graduate of Woman's College (now UNCG). She was a doll collector and a member of the National Institute of American Doll Artists.

Extent

5.70 Linear Feet (19 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Alma Garlow was a a 1934 graduate of Woman's College (now UNCG), a doll collector and a member of the National Institute of American Doll Artists. The set of dolls in this collection, entitled An American Family, 1630-1900, was carved from horse chestnut wood by Helen Bullard.

Method of Acquisition

Gift of Alma and Spencer Garlow. In 1998, Mr. Garlow donated the dolls to the School of Human Environmental Sciences. The dolls were transferred to University Archives in July 2000.

Offensive Language Statement

The UNC Greensboro University Libraries collects, preserves, and makes accessible unique and historical materials for learning and research. The nature of historical materials is such that some material may represent positions, norms, and values that are offensive and objectionable. These materials represent the opinions and actions of their creators. By providing access to these records in our reading room and through our digital collections, we recognize that archives and rare books can play a vital role in holding those creators accountable and in helping us learn from the past.

Our finding aids and other collection descriptions may occasionally re-use language provided by creators or former holders of the materials, but we strive to place outdated or offensive terminology in context. That said, we recognize that we may not always make the right decision and welcome feedback from all sources so we can learn and adjust our practices. Please contact us at scua@uncg.edu if you encounter problematic language in our finding aids or other collection description. We will review the language and, as appropriate, update it in a way that balances preservation of the original context with our ongoing commitment to describing materials with respectful and inclusive language.

Processing Information

Processed by Archives staff.

Title
Alma and Spencer Garlow Dolls Collection
Author
Archives staff
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Repository Details

Part of the Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives Repository

Contact:
P.O. Box 26170
320 College Ave.
Greensboro NC 27402-6170 US
336-334-5246