Navy Museum to Host Girls Make History Day

By Darren Harrison, Naval District Washington Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- +The U.S. Navy Museum expects more than a thousand visitors June 26 for its second annual Girls Make History Day.

The event is based around the popular American Girl product line.

"This is a great opportunity to showcase naval history to women and how women have influenced naval history," said Laura Hockensmith, deputy director of education and public programs at the museum.

The American Girl products, include dolls, books, clothing, games and even furniture. Two of the book's authors, Valerie Tripp and Jackie Greene, will be on hand to sign autographs.

Hockensmith said that the history day activities will be tied to the specific era or war to which each girl figure is associated. For example, for the American Girls associated with the American Revolution, children will be making colonial door hangers.

"From our standpoint naval history is American history. So, a lot of the girls do have a tie to a specific war or era," said Hockensmith. "[In the instance of a 1907 girl] if she was a real person she would have heard about the Great White Fleet."

Featured activities include making a zoetrope that gives the illusion of motion through a series of static images, military target kites, a civil war newspaper, ration books and planting Victory Gardens.

The museum plans to raffle off three full-size American Girl dolls and, for those visiting children dressed as their favorite characters, three mini American Girl dolls will be given away in a separate raffle. All children attending the event will receive a goody bag.

The event was previewed on Fox News Channel 5 earlier this week which the museum staff said generated a lot of interested phone callers.

The 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. event is free and open to the public. Those planning to attend should RSVP by calling (202) 433-6826.

Last year's inaugural event drew approximately 1,500 visitors, including 800 children.