Donated by Virginia Hicks

This papier maché egg probably belonged to twins Mary and Ellen Russell of Harrison (Boone County) in the early 1920s. Mary and Ellen were born to Jesse and Rose Grever Russell in 1917. According to the 1920 census, the Russells lived at 614 West Central Avenue in Harrison. Jesse Russell was an editor of the Boone County Headlight newspaper.  In 1947 he authored Behind These Ozark Hills, a collection of personal reminiscences about life in Carroll and Boone counties.

Germany has a long history of using papier maché eggs to celebrate Easter.  From the late 1800s until the early 1930s, Germany exported empty papier maché eggs to the United States and throughout Europe. The word “GERMANY” stamped inside the egg helps narrow down when it was made. Up until about 1920, papier maché eggs manufactured in Germany were stamped “German” or “Germany.” From 1921 until 1933 they were stamped “German Republic. Following World War II, several stamps were used, including “East Germany,” “German Democratic Republic,” “West Germany,” and “Federal Republic of Germany.”

Donated by Virginia Hicks

This papier maché egg probably belonged to twins Mary and Ellen Russell of Harrison (Boone County) in the early 1920s. Mary and Ellen were born to Jesse and Rose Grever Russell in 1917. According to the 1920 census, the Russells lived at 614 West Central Avenue in Harrison. Jesse Russell was an editor of the Boone County Headlight newspaper.  In 1947 he authored Behind These Ozark Hills, a collection of personal reminiscences about life in Carroll and Boone counties.

Germany has a long history of using papier maché eggs to celebrate Easter.  From the late 1800s until the early 1930s, Germany exported empty papier maché eggs to the United States and throughout Europe. The word “GERMANY” stamped inside the egg helps narrow down when it was made. Up until about 1920, papier maché eggs manufactured in Germany were stamped “German” or “Germany.” From 1921 until 1933 they were stamped “German Republic. Following World War II, several stamps were used, including “East Germany,” “German Democratic Republic,” “West Germany,” and “Federal Republic of Germany.”

This tin tambourine and crepe paper party hat date to the late 1930s or early 1940s. The tambourine was made by Kirchhof, a company in Newark, New Jersey, that specialized in small metal toys, noisemakers, seasonal ornaments, and other novelties. The hat is probably homemade.  The sides are held together with staples and the black bow on the top is secured by thin wire.

Orville Hall Jr. was born in 1935 in Fayetteville to Orville Sr., an agricultural and business economics professor at the University of Arkansas, and Janie Haigh Hall. Orville Jr. was an only child who lovingly cared for his toys, many of which he and his wife, Susan, have donated to the Shiloh Museum. He remembers wearing masks and hats at Halloween, and believes that the tambourine came from a Halloween party long, long ago.

Donated by Susan and Orville Hall Jr.

This tin tambourine and crepe paper party hat date to the late 1930s or early 1940s. The tambourine was made by Kirchhof, a company in Newark, New Jersey, that specialized in small metal toys, noisemakers, seasonal ornaments, and other novelties. The hat is probably homemade.  The sides are held together with staples and the black bow on the top is secured by thin wire.

Orville Hall Jr. was born in 1935 in Fayetteville to Orville Sr., an agricultural and business economics professor at the University of Arkansas, and Janie Haigh Hall. Orville Jr. was an only child who lovingly cared for his toys, many of which he and his wife, Susan, have donated to the Shiloh Museum. He remembers wearing masks and hats at Halloween, and believes that the tambourine came from a Halloween party long, long ago.