This website serves as the viewing platform for the Final Project of a student in Royal Holloway’s MA Public History Program. When you are done exploring the project, I would greatly appreciate if you could fill out the Feedback Form on this website to let me know what you think!
Throughout my journey as a Public History student, I have asked myself questions about which histories become “popular” and “celebrated” and which do not. During my time as a student of history, I have been fascinated with stories of individuals and communities who have tested the odds, endured hardship, and persevered in the face of adversity. There are many stories of people like this in this history of Britain! The lives of Anne Lister, the suffragettes, and the Windrush generation are just a few examples of inspiring history topics that might not be taught as much as Henry VIII and the Romans.
I found that time and time again, stories about the vast array of peoples and cultures that encountered the British Empire are not included in the national narrative of the United Kingdom. These important narratives about the effects of imperialism remain largely “hidden” from school curriculums and educational resources and recreation for children. Many politicians and public commentators are vocal about the fact that they think education on the actions of the Empire is unneeded, irrelevant, rooted in “post-colonial guilt,” or anti-Britain.
Though it makes sense to celebrate and teach about the global achievements of Britain, it is equally important to remember the moments in which violence, oppression, and disenfranchisement have occurred at the hands of the United Kingdom. Understanding the imperial past of the nation is necessary for understanding the Empire’s ties to the present.
I aim to address the lack of education about the British Empire by creating a series of historical dolls, inspired by other doll series such as “American Girl Dolls,” and “A Girl for All Time.” All of the dolls in the series are set in a time and place in the past in which their identities would have been formed through interaction with the British Empire. Though their inclusion in the series does not mean that a person in their position would have identified as British or even as part of the Empire, it is important to recognize how the actions of imperial Britain impacted the lives of people all over the world. Though the physical dolls pictured are not available for purchase, I hope that this series and website draws attention to the gap in the market for children’s educational material on imperial history.
The stories of these young fictional characters serve a dual purpose: to educate kids about the British Empire, and to inspire young girls with messages of empowerment. The “Fun Facts,” “Historical Resources,” and “Activities” pages are meant to extend the learning process past the interaction with the dolls and their stories, and into fascination and engagement with history. I hope that as you explore the website, you think about why stories like those of Elissa, Walela, and Sophia are not readily taught in British schools. Would you like them to be?
For more information on the selection and creation of the appearance of the doll characters on this website, please refer to: A Note on Product Visualization… And to let me know your thoughts on the project and this website, please visit the Feedback Form.
Hidden History Dolls 