EveryMuseum.com - Middleton Doll Company

The Baby Doll Capital of the World? Yes, it does exist in Southeast Ohio. It's a fact! In 1997, Richard Thomas, the mayor of Belpre Ohio, issued an official proclamation declaring that the city was, indeed, the Baby Doll Capital of World. Why in Belpre? It's the home of Middleton Doll.

Now you can learn more about the world's most life-like and realistic baby dolls. Middleton Doll, the nation's leading designer of collectible and play baby dolls, has opened a museum in it's Belpre, Ohio facility.

The newly opened museum takes visitors on a journey through the company's twenty-seven year history of innovative doll making. Visitors begin their tour of the seven room, 2,200 square foot museum, by learning about Lee Middleton, the company's founder, and her humble beginnings in rural, Southeastern Ohio. Wall-sized maps and images walk you through the company's fascinating history of groundbreaking doll development.

One of the most fascinating items on display is a "bread dough baby" made by the company's current artist, Reva Schick. This doll is one of Ms. Schick's earliest works and was actually fashioned from bread dough that she made at her kitchen table.

In addition, the museum features temporary exhibits of rare and interesting doll collections that will be on loan from long-time collectors. Currently on display is a complete collection of the company's famous "Christmas Angel" dolls, a series of dolls issued between 1987 and 1996.

The museum is housed in the same building along side the company's production facility and retail store. After touring the museum, visitors can tour the factory and actually see how the dolls are made. While in the store shoppers will see the company's newest and hottest doll designs along with hard-to-find, retired editions. There's even a nursery where a nurse will help "parents" select a baby of their choice and guide them through an experience that includes naming their baby and completing an actual birth certificate.