Local Museum, Tracey Magnet School Collaborate On Toy Project

Press release from LMMM:

Dec. 17, 2020

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum collaborated with Tracey Magnet School of Norwalk, a National Blue Ribbon School and National School of Character, on a service learning project that connects 19th century holiday dolls and toys to those cherished by many of Tracey’s students and their families today.

Tracey Magnet School Principal Theresa Rangel said, “I am continually humbled that our school, that has a focus on the ‘soft skills’ of social-emotional learning, has been able to demonstrate our core values and enhance the lives of our students by modeling what matters most in life...the ability to make a positive contribution to the community and the world. I am so proud of my students and the staff that have guided them in this journey.”

After exploring the Museum’s new holiday exhibition, Christmas Playtime at the Mansion, Tracey fourth graders, inspired by the Museum’s exhibit as well as the toys and dolls that are highlighted in their own diverse cultures, put their creativity to work and crafted dolls, which are currently on view in the Mansion’s Billiards Room.

LMMM Executive Director Susan Gilgore said, “All of us at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum are very excited to collaborate with Tracey on this project and display these creative, multicultural dolls made by their talented students for our exhibit. We look forward to sharing these wonderful toys with all of our visitors in the upcoming weeks.”

Organized by LMMM Education Program Director Iliana Begetis and Tracey Character Education Theme Coach Kristen Penta, Tracey students and teachers took a virtual tour of Christmas Playtime at the Mansion with LMMM Education Docent Midge Lopat, a retired teacher from Tracey dressed in period costume, which engaged them with the history of the Mansion and the Lockwood and Mathews families, Victorian Christmas traditions in America, the evolution of dolls from the 19th and early 20th centuries to today, and what life was like between 1868 and 1938. Students then researched, explored and shared about various winter holidays and traditions from around the world, including their own cultures. They also learned about different types of dolls that have spanned centuries, from the legendary Mayan culture to vibrant African villages and the family traditions “nested” in toys from Russia.

From this learning and using various forms of media such as paper, fabric and colored yarn, Tracey fourth graders crafted Guatemalan and Mayan Worry Dolls, African Village Dolls, Russian Nesting Dolls and Ghanaian Wish Dolls, while consistently examining their school’s core values, their school PRINT: Problem solving and Persevering during the doll-making process; being Respectful as they learned about new cultures and traditions; and being Neighborly as they shared their own cultural traditions with each other and now with visitors of the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum.

Visitors of the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum can get a chance to view Christmas Playtime at the Mansion and the Tracey Cubs Doll Display now through Jan. 3, 2021 during a guided tour, offered Wed.-Sun., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Tour tickets must be purchased online at www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com.

For more information on LMMM’s Education Program, please contact Education Program Director Iliana Begetis by phone: 203-838-9799, ext. 6, or email: education@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com.

This press release was produced by LMMM. The views expressed here are the author's own.