Easter Egg

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.”

Christmas Mouse

Donated by Ada Lee Shook

Eden Toys musical mouseMade by the New York-based Eden Toys, Inc., this musical mouse spins in a circle while playing “Deck the Halls.” It has a copyright date of 1982 and was sewn in Haiti. According to a 1981 newspaper article in the Millville (New Jersey) Daily, Eden’s board chairman David Miller explained that “the average stuffed toy takes 60 to 90 days to produce . . . because material must be cut, shipped [from Eden’s New Jersey factory] to South America or Haiti for stitching, and returned to the U.S. for finishing.”

A similar Eden Toys musical mouse is seen in a Belk’s Department Store ad in the December 21, 1984, Gaffney (South Carolina) Ledger, retailing for $16. The only difference between that mouse and the mouse pictured here is the outfit. The Belk’s mouse is wearing a striped nightshirt and cap.

Perhaps Eden Toys’ best known plush toy was Paddington Bear, the creation of British author Michael Bond. Other popular Eden toy lines included Beatrix Potter’s animal characters and Jean de Brunhoff’s Babar the Elephant animal characters. Eden Toys sold all its toy licenses in the early 2000s.

Ada Lee Smith Shook (1928–2009) was descended from pioneer families in Washington and Benton counties. Born in Fayetteville, she was the only child of William Carl Smith and Frances Slaughter Smith. Ada Lee graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1945, received a degree in mathematics from the University of Arkansas, and taught school for a time. She married William Eugene Shook in 1953. They raised two children. Ada Lee was an avid genealogist and saver of family heirlooms, many of which she donated to the Shiloh Museum.

Eden Toys musical mouse

Donated by  Ada Lee Shook

Made by the New York-based plush-toy manufacturer Eden Toys, Inc., this musical mouse spins in a circle while playing “Deck the Halls.” It has a copyright date of 1982 and was sewn in Haiti. According to a 1981 newspaper article in the Millville (New Jersey) Daily, Eden’s board chairman David Miller explained that “the average stuffed toy takes 60 to 90 days to produce . . . because material must be cut, shipped [from Eden’s New Jersey factory] to South America or Haiti for stitching, and returned to the U.S. for finishing.”

A similar Eden Toys musical mouse is seen in a Belk’s Department Store ad in the December 21, 1984, Gaffney (South Carolina) Ledger, retailing for $16. The only difference between that mouse and the mouse pictured here is the outfit. The Belk’s mouse is wearing a striped nightshirt and cap.

Perhaps Eden Toys’ best known plush toy was Paddington Bear, the creation of British author Michael Bond. Other popular Eden toy lines included Beatrix Potter’s animal characters and Jean de Brunhoff’s Babar the Elephant animal characters. Eden Toys sold all its toy licenses in the early 2000s.

Ada Lee Smith Shook (1928–2009) was descended from pioneer families in Washington and Benton counties. Born in Fayetteville, she was the only child of William Carl Smith and Frances Slaughter Smith. Ada Lee graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1945, received a degree in mathematics from the University of Arkansas, and taught school for a time. She married William Eugene Shook in 1953. They raised two children. Ada Lee was an avid genealogist and saver of family heirlooms, many of which she donated to the Shiloh Museum.

Halloween Accessories

Donated by Susan and Orville Hall Jr.

1930s Halloween tambourine and hatThis 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.

Cardboard Bunnies

Pressed cardboard Easter rabbits,1930s

From left: Ruth Haigh Roberts, Lawrence Roberts, Orville Hall Jr. , and Janie Haigh Hall, at the Hall home in Fayetteville, April 9, 1939. Orville Hall Jr. Collection (S-2009-60-6)

Donated by Susan and Orville Hall Jr.

Bunnies made of molded or pressed cardboard or pulp were popular Easter decorations during the 1930s and 1940s. These belonged to Orville Hall Jr. of Fayetteville, the son of Orville Sr. and Janie Haigh Hall.

Pressed cardboard Easter rabbits,1930s

Donated by Susan and Orville Hall Jr.

Bunnies made of molded or pressed cardboard or pulp were popular Easter decorations during the 1930s and 1940s. These belonged to Orville Hall Jr. of Fayetteville, the son of Orville Sr. and Janie Haigh Hall.

From left: Ruth Haigh Roberts, Lawrence Roberts, Orville Hall Jr. , and Janie Haigh Hall, at the Hall home in Fayetteville, April 9, 1939.

From left: Ruth Haigh Roberts, Lawrence Roberts, Orville Hall Jr., and Janie Haigh Hall at the Hall home in Fayetteville, April 8, 1939. Orville Hall Jr. Collection (S-2009-60-6)

Christmas Tree Music Box

Donated by Mary Vaughan

Springdale resident Mary Vaughan bought this music box the 1960s. The Christmas tree (which is made of hemp) is rotated to wind up a music box that plays “Jingle Bells.” The box is original and is stamped “Made in Japan, 1962.”

Donated by Mary Vaughan

Springdale resident Mary Vaughan bought this music box the 1960s. The Christmas tree (which is made of hemp) is rotated to wind up a music box that plays “Jingle Bells.” The box is original and is stamped “Made in Japan, 1962.”

Christmas Lights

Donated by Curtis Hornor

The Samuel Ferdinand Hornor family of Lake Village (Chicot County), Arkansas, made their Christmas tree sparkle in the 1920s with this festive set of lights. Note the patriotic dirigible (airship) ornament next to Santa Claus.

The lights were passed down to Hornor’s grandson, Curtis Hornor of Springdale, who donated them to the Shiloh Museum in 1997.