When Sherrie Wylie was told she was too old to play with dolls she did the next best thing – she started to collect them.
Her very first doll Chatty Cathy, plus several others dressed in their finest, were placed on her bedroom shelves. Her mother, Carole Weber, gave her Superstar Barbie and told her to treasure it because it would be the last Barbie she would ever receive. That was in 1977
For many of her teenage years Wylie’s aunt and uncle took her on a special trip to the CNE in Toronto. The most important stop was the International Building where each time Sherri purchased at least one of the jointed wooden dolls from another country.
Later she started collecting dolls she had wanted as a kid but hadn’t received. From the ‘70s there was a trio – Crissy, Velvet and Cinnamon. Wylie had received Crissy for her birthday, but as a collector the hunt was on for the other two.
Through the years the collection has expanded from the dozen bedroom shelf dolls to a total in excess of 500. Her childhood bedroom was traded for a house of her own where her husband and family have grown up to regard the little statues as just part of normal interior decorating.
Once Sherri’s interest was firmly established, it rekindled her mother’s memories, and a few composition dolls were taken out of storage. These of course were a generation older and in need of repair. Not only that, but her mother recanted her ‘no more dolls’ threat, and started her daughter on the Happy Holidays series. She continues to present a collector Barbie each Christmas.
Wylie’s extensive doll collection has been acquired through gifts, garage and auction sales, second hand and antique stores, and just plain being in the right place at the right time. A doll was repaired for a lady who had an elderly friend. The friend had a small collection but she was going to a nursing home and had to downsize. There were five cloth dolls from Quebec, each with long torsos and skinny arms and legs, which were given to Sherri. Another elderly lady had a collection – but no one to inherit it – which was also added to the Wylie assembly. Travelling and dolling make good companions. In Phoenix, Arizona there was a find of several handmade tribal Indian dolls, and as well three Elvis dolls in original boxes.
Many older dolls purchased were broken, chipped, or missing parts. At first they went to the Elora Doll House but eventually that business stopped doing restoration.
Wylie took careful note on how previous mending and patching had been done, and using her ingenuity, duplicated some of the procedures.
Mother and daughter attended the Teeswater Doll Club where meetings included demonstrations on cleaning and repairing. Eventually Sherri became proficient at repairing, rejoining appendages, and repainting little creatures. Recently she sent notice to various second hand and antique shops advising that she had 22 years of experience with doll repairs and would appreciate referrals.
During February Wylie’s extensive collection is being showcased as part of the Harriston Historical Society’s exhibit on the 3rd floor of the Harriston Library. The oldest doll is a three-inch porcelain 1877 German miniature, there is also a china head doll from the late 1800s, and as well a 1910 porcelain Goebel. Each doll in the display has a tag with particulars.
To view this unique exhibition, visit the historical society rooms at the library during regular hours on Tuesdays from 1 to 4:30pm and 6:30 to 8pm or Saturdays 10am to 3pm.
Wylie will be available several times during the month to discuss her collection. Extended hours are being planned – to enquire or make an appointment call 519-338-2813 or 519-338-3232.
Submitted by Willa Wick for the Harriston Historical Society.
