vmescher
07-22-2007, 09:23 AM
Forgive the cross post but I wasn't sure of the best places to do the post so hit the delete button if you have seen this before. It is for a good cause and the winner will come away with a one-of-kind prize that hasn't been seen since the civil war.
Funds were raised for both armies by holding fairs. The United States Sanitary Commission Fairs were famous and one item that was associated with the fairs dolls were either auctioned or raffled to raise money. Dolls were also raffled or auctioned off at southern ladies' fairs or by individuals. Some of those dolls still exist in museums and private collections but the information is scattered and sometimes very difficult to find.
The tradition still continues today although the fund-raising is not for the soldiers but for the survival of their memory. Elizabeth Stewart Clark has donated a 18" china doll who is traveling around the country and different people and groups are contributing to her wardrobe and accessories and the doll will be raffled off in November of 2007. The money from the raffle will go to civil war preservation. Information on how where the money will go and how to purchase tickets may be found on Elizabeth's web site at http://www.elizabethstewartclark.com/DC/Civility/About.htm
When I first heard about the project I was intrigued and started researching fund-raising and benefit dolls of the civil war. I was amazed at the information that I found so I tried to gather all that I could find and compile it into a comprehensive article and share it with others who might be interested. I hope that you enjoy reading about the dolls who silently did a great deal for the soldiers on both sides of the war. The article may be found at www.raggedsoldier.com in the Virginia's Veranda section.
Funds were raised for both armies by holding fairs. The United States Sanitary Commission Fairs were famous and one item that was associated with the fairs dolls were either auctioned or raffled to raise money. Dolls were also raffled or auctioned off at southern ladies' fairs or by individuals. Some of those dolls still exist in museums and private collections but the information is scattered and sometimes very difficult to find.
The tradition still continues today although the fund-raising is not for the soldiers but for the survival of their memory. Elizabeth Stewart Clark has donated a 18" china doll who is traveling around the country and different people and groups are contributing to her wardrobe and accessories and the doll will be raffled off in November of 2007. The money from the raffle will go to civil war preservation. Information on how where the money will go and how to purchase tickets may be found on Elizabeth's web site at http://www.elizabethstewartclark.com/DC/Civility/About.htm
When I first heard about the project I was intrigued and started researching fund-raising and benefit dolls of the civil war. I was amazed at the information that I found so I tried to gather all that I could find and compile it into a comprehensive article and share it with others who might be interested. I hope that you enjoy reading about the dolls who silently did a great deal for the soldiers on both sides of the war. The article may be found at www.raggedsoldier.com in the Virginia's Veranda section.