Collecting, repairing, and dressing dolls in costume was the life's work of one talented and resourceful woman, Ethel Melum, known as “The Doll Lady.” Born in Nebraska of hardy Swedish pioneer stock, Ethel learned to do more than just make do. She often made things out of next to nothing.

The craft of “dressing dolls” involves more than the mere placing of a garment on a little girl's plaything. Ethel's dolls were her creations with which she portrayed history or commemorated events in the lives of people, famous or otherwise. With her talented and nimble fingers Ethel meticulously repaired and crafted doll bodies, faces and hairstyles. She created and sewed garments by hand often after careful research in order to render historically accurate costumes.

Ethel's “Personality Dolls,” as they were known, represent historical and political figures, entertainers, military figures, famous art and dolls of general interest such as the Dionne quintuplets at various ages. Whenever possible, Ethel wrote to the subjects of her creations requesting an autograph and a scrap of fabric with which to make the doll's clothing.

Ethel's accomplishments brought her much attention. As her fame as “The Doll Lady” spread, she was the subject of many publications and her dolls were in great demand for public presentations.

Upon entering a nursing home, Ethel donated more than 300 of her dolls to the Lac qui Parle County Historical Museum in Madison, MN. There the dolls are on display along with three rooms of Ethel's antique furniture.

To see Ethel's collections and learn more about her story, stop at the museum located on Hwy. 75 at the south end of Madison.