Made from strips of cloth, wagon train dolls are reminders of early settlers who traveled to the Ozarks to homestead. Life on the wagon train could be lonely for a child, but dolls kept them company and became their best friends. Today, your children can make their own dolls wile hearing the history of this beloved toy. Doll kits, furniture and accessories as well as dolls from other materials such as jute and pillowcases are also available.

Opal's Dolls

Last time my Aunt Jewel came to visit, she told us all about the Orphan Trains going through the country trying to find families and homes for the children who have been left on their own. "Opal, these children have very little to call their own." I knew there was something we should do to brighten these children's lives.

Together with my friends Ruby and Pearl, we started the Doll Orphanage. With Aunt Jewel's help, our local ladies began making dolls as fast as they could, and filled our orphanage with love as well as dolls. Not only are local folks making dolls for us, the children of the Ozarks are bringing us their dolls for adoption. We lovingly repair them and sew beautiful new clothes to get them ready for their new homes.

Those orphan trains now make their first stop at our doll orphanage. The children now have their very own doll to take to their new homes-something to call their very own. Local ladies still make dolls today and fill our orphanage with handmade love. There treasures still need loving homes. Come adopt one of your very own!