Century-old toys donated to Waterford museum
Rosemary Ryan, Acting Curator Manager, Waterford Treasures, John Thompson, toy collection donor Sandra Thompson, Cllr. Joe Conway, Mayor of Waterford City & County, Joanne Rothwell, Waterford City and County Council Archivist & Donnchadh O'Ceallacháin, Curator Waterford Treasures,
A collection of toys has been donated to Waterford Treasures, some dating back over 100 years.
Mayor of Waterford, Councillor Joe Conway, accepted the important collection of toys into Waterford Treasures, from Sandra Thompson who has, over the years, contributed greatly to Waterford’s heritage and history.
The collection was previously displayed in the home of Ms Thompson’s grandparents, Lady and Sir Edward Pearson, nephew of Viscount Lord Cowdray.
Dolls, a 1910 teddy bear, board games, local Quaker family toys, faithful reproductions of the traditional horse-drawn caravan, another wagon/caravan, a 1940s toy theatre and butcher’s shop - made by Ms Thompson’s parents, a Peter Rabbit tea set, and books are just some of the items included in the toy collection.
Ms Thompson also gifted important documents to Waterford City & County Council Archives.
Commenting at the presentation, Ms Thompson expressed delight to be handing over the care of her collection to Waterford Treasures “especially if it will encourage others to do the same”.
“We are extremely grateful to Sandra for such a generous gift, wonderfully cared for over the years," said Rosemary Ryan, Acting Curator Manager with Waterford Treasures.
"With the dolls, there’s one little character more fascinating than the next; we will display them as soon as possible – museums are all about the future,” she added. The historical figures highlight a significant importance of the family’s crafting skills and creativity as 16 of them were meticulously and expertly handmade by the Lacy sisters, Ms Thompson’s grand-aunts, between 1936 and 1942.
The 20th century dolls include: a Pedigree doll, from 1945, in the original box with costumes and their patterns; a 1950s Cindy doll, a 1960s Action Man and the famous Irish-made Crolly doll.
Thirty countries are represented by dolls in traditional dress, including an Irish Colleen in red and green, a Berber couple, a tiny wooden Zulu doll and some very important Japanese dolls.
More information about the museum can be found at www.waterfordtreasures.com.
