Museum of the Village of Rockville Centre

include the built-in drawers and shelves in the dining room and the parents' bedroom upstairs. The house is of balloon construction, a major architectural improvement of the time. In recognition of Black History month, an exhibit: “African American Dolls” will open February 6th 1-4 PM at the Phillips House in the Museum of the Village of Rockville Centre. This unique exhibit is of late 19th and early 20th Century dolls from the collection of April Marius a local artist. It is the first time the collection will be exhibited in the United States! Ms Marius states, “My collection is of authentic dolls, not the ordinary Aunt Jemima venue or of little Black boys sitting on alligators! Rather my collection is of beautifully, if not primitive at times, crafted dolls in authentic costumes which show a time line of Black history.”

Ms Marius also collects retired Daddy Long Legs dolls made by a woman who first sculptured them and then cast the figures in a wooden resin. Daddy Long Legs are much sought after by collectors world wide and the museum is honored that Ms Marius is sharing her collection publically for the first time in Rockville Centre’s Phillips House. The exhibit runs from Feb. 6 - April 17, 2011