The National Black Doll Museum of History and Culture owns a collection of over 7,000 Black dolls, some dating back to the late 1700s - one of the most significant collections in the world. Unable to have visitors or run workshops during the pandemic, it was unfortunately forced to close in 2020. 

The National Black Doll Museum was the only brick-and-mortar museum in the U.S. devoted to the art, craft, history and preservation of Black dolls.  The Museum’s collection is so significant that the Smithsonian once attempted to acquire it.

The Museum's original Mansfield premises have been occupied since being vacated. However, the city of Attleboro, MA, has acquired a large piece of land earmarked for cultural development and is keen to welcome a brand new and improved National Black Doll Museum to relocate to this new site.

The Museum aims to raise a total of $1.5 million to achieve this goal, starting with $100,000 this Black History Month.

This campaign is proudly supported by:
 

Before founding the National Black Doll Museum, CEO Debra Britt used to tour her private doll collection to women’s shelters and other marginalized communities. The National Black Doll Museum’s founding ethos has always been one of education, outreach and social justice.

While it was still open, the Museum also functioned as a space for local art and performance programs, theater groups, mentorship, book discussions, camps, African culture classes, Kwanzaa celebrations, as well as serving as a meeting, working and organizing space for community groups.

For years, the National Black Doll Museum has used educational workshops to teach young people about aspects of Black history they were missing at school.  The Museum is not simply a collection of artefacts - it is a critical civil rights project devoted to anti-racist education and the preservation of the stories of Black struggle.

With your help, this vital institution can open its doors once again.