Raggedy Ann®

Raggedy Ann was my first doll. I slept with her everynight. When we visited my grandparents, I had to sleep in the same bed as my aunt who was only 4 years older than me. She made fun of me for sleeping with a doll. Then one night while I was visiting, she had a nightmare that Raggedy Ann grew to life-size and turned evil and went after her. Frankly, I believe Raggedy Ann came to my rescue. My aunt didn't make fun of me sleeping with my doll again.

- Bonnie, Avon, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

When I was REAL little, I got mad and threatened to run away, so I started gathering stuff to take with me and at the very top of my pile was my Raggedy Ann doll! My mom and I both remember this story very well!

- Sheri, Fishers, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

I hope this doll get lots of votes due to it's connection to Indiana. The doll was created by Johnny Gruelle when his daughter found an old rag doll in the attic and brought it to him. He drew a face on the doll and then told her stories about the doll. He chose the doll's name from two poems written by his friend, James Whitcomb Riley: The Raggedy Man and Little Orphant Annie .... thus Raggedy Ann. Later he published books with the wonderful adventures of Raggedy Ann and Andy. These dolls and stories have been handed down to generations and have been enjoyed by both boys and girls.

- Barb, Indiana

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

The stories of Ann and her brother Andy helped develop my very vivid imagination. When I was little my beloved great Aunt, Lydia Taylor Simpson, made a set of dolls for me. They were stitched by hand and filled with love. Every time I think of them and my Auntie my heart overflows with sweet memories of that golden moment in time. For a recent shower gift, I gave the new little one a copy of one of my favorite stories from the series. At some time in the future she will have a set of the dolls as well. I hope she treasures them as much as I have.

- Susan, Indianapolis

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

There are many stories I could tell about Raggedy Ann, but my favorite and most memorable is the one about my 16th birthday. I have a special place in my heart for Raggedy Ann. Every year I would get a Raggedy Ann for Christmas, or my birthday, or just because. I didn't realize until I was a little older that my dad was the one who started my tradition of collecting Raggedy Ann dolls. You see, I was born premature, and my dad was the one who went to the store to personally pick out the Raggedy Ann doll for me while my mom was still in the hospital. After discovering this news I've become very attached to all the Raggedy Ann's I've collected over the years. On my 16th birthday, my mom gave me a surprise party, and it was all Raggedy Ann themed with some of my favorite Raggedy Ann dolls on display. My favorite gift was that of my grandma and grandpa. My grandma had taken the time to sew and repair my oldest Raggedy Ann dolls so that they were nearly new. And the ones that weren't back to their original state with stitches showing right and left were more precious to me because the evidence was there that my grandma had taken her precious time to care for them because she knew that I loved them so very much. I still have these Raggedy Ann dolls today, and have started the tradition with my daughter. Thank you dad for such a thoughtful gift, and thank you grandma for bringing my favorite childhood doll back to life.

- Angel, Indianapolis

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

I remember when I was a child I had everything that ever came out of Raggedy Ann, and dont forget Andy. Oh yes Andy was right there with Raggedy Ann every where. My lamps, blankets, pillow case, rug--everything was of Raggedy Ann and Andy. And yes, I even had a baby raddle for them on my dresser with their own picture  on their own toy. In the bathroom you would see my toothbrush and cup of Raggedy Ann and Andy. There was nothing that I did not have of them. I have even told my daughter that is now 21 about my room full of Raggedy Ann and Andy stuff. I sure wish I still had one of the dolls but our house burned down when I was a child and I lost everything in my room and never got to replace my Raggedy Ann and Andy stuff. I sure do hope to do my granddaughters room in it some day.

- Penny, Indianapolis

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.
 

My older sister chose the doll as a prize for a contest. We lived in Seattle and hardly ever had snow, which we dearly wanted. When it did happen to snow, she would dangle Raggedy Ann out the second story window and act like the doll was so excited also! We still have fond memories of those times with Raggedy Ann. My sister, when she was an adult, was so nice in the following years to give the doll to a little girl as she has none. Happiness was passed on and we still have our memories of her saying, "snow, snow, snow!" from an upstairs window.

- Dianne, Monrovia, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

This was one of the earliest toys I remember. I think I was around 3 when I got her. I loved my Raggedy Ann. A couple of years later I got Raggedy Andy. I loved him too. I'm almost 60 and still have both of them. Although they look a little worn, they still hold a special place in my heart.

- Beth, Cicero, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

I still have my very bald Raggedy Ann Doll. I pulled off all of her hair to rub between my finger and nose while I sucked my thumb as a child. Poor baby!

- Rachel, Greenwood, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

My Mom gave me my sister's Raggedy Ann when I was a baby and I have had one ever since. I would receive a new one every year on my birthday. Even after getting married I got one for Christmas from my husband. I made one for my nephew when he was born, I now have 5 grandchildren and I have made them each a Raggedy Ann or Andy. She is everywhere in my house. I still love her and think she is the epitome of happiness and acceptance. I have told my husband I want one in my casket as I can't imagine Heaven without her!

- Sandy, Indianapolis

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

When I was around 5 years old, I was in love with my Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. At that age, they were almost life size to me! I remember one day I was using Raggedy Andy as my groom and marrying him in my room. I had gotten lipstick out of my moms bedroom and put it on. Andy got a nice kiss mark on his cheek when we sealed our marriage with a kiss. My mom has kept these two dolls all these years!

- Michele, Westfield, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

When I was born my Great Grandma made me a Raggedy Ann doll, I slept with her and as I grew she was my best friend and we were inseparable. She was just about worn out by the time I was five. My Mom's mom took her for an overnight, used her for a pattern and made me a new one. Years later my Dad's mom did the same thing. I still have her. She's a connection to all those wonderful women who gave hugs all those years ago. She's still a comfort to me.

- Andrea, Dayton, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

When I was a little girl, my great-aunt made me an oversized Raggedy Ann and Andy. They were two of my best friends during my childhood. I shared my secrets with them as well as my dreams. They are two of the "treasures" from my childhood that I have to this day.

- Shannan, Columbus, IN

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.

For my 4th birthday, my great-grandmother made me a beautiful dress that I wore for my party. When I opened her gift to me, a wonderful hand-made Raggedy Ann doll wearing the same dress as me, I was overjoyed! While I no longer have the Raggedy Ann doll, I do have the dress and whenever I look at it I think of my great-grandmother and her thoughtful and creative gifts she made for me over the years.

- Jennifer, Indianapolis

This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.