Area girls create replicas of wagon train dolls
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
A group of girls from Marion, Florence, and Lincolnville gathered Friday at the home of Laurel Gilbert, 205 N. Lincoln, Marion, to make wagon train dolls.
Made from strips of fabric and similar to corn husk dolls, the dolls are replicas of the type made by pioneer girls who traveled west with their families in the mid-1800s on the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trails in wagon trains.
Each girl made two dolls, one to keep and one to give away, and each doll was given a name. A booklet was attached to each, signed and dated by its creator and giving the history of wagon train dolls.
Gilbert, St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary, Country Lakes Cafe, City of Marion, Marion Senior Center, and Country Haven Inn, Hillsboro, each received a doll from the girls.
Instructor Ann Holt was assisted by Trina Wilkerson. Cathy Martin cut the strips of fabric for the project.
Holt said she and her daughter Laura learned to make the dolls at Silver Dollar City at Branson, Mo.
"We like to get the generations together, meeting with neighbors and friends," Holt said.
