The 7th Annual Creepy Doll Contest
Loose in the Vaults
In celebration of their 7th year in the spotlight, the Creepy Dolls of the History Center of Olmsted County are becoming amateur curators for the month of October. WE ARE SETTING THEM LOOSE IN OUR VAULTS! They are tasked with pulling curious objects from our collection of artifacts, researching and writing about them, and possibly getting into some mayhem along the way.
Call for a Doll
Beginning Tuesday September 2nd, The History Center of Olmsted County invites you to donate any dolls you deem creepy enough to take part in the exhibition. If you are interested in donating a doll or dolls for this project, please come to the History Center and fill out a submission form. There is a $5 donation to submit but beware as you relinquish all association with your doll, it may be getting itself into some mischievous situations. The History Center cannot do this without your help, and we are extremely excited to collaborate with the community on this project.
HCOC Museum Exhibition: Saturday, Oct 11th - Friday, Oct 31st
The dolls invite you to a spectacular visual and sensory multimedia experience! This show will be an expert mix of education, entertainment, horror, and family fun. The History Center is very curious how the dolls will interpret our local history, perhaps we will gain new insight into our own Olmsted County. There will be an opportunity for everyone who comes through the show to vote on your favorite creepy doll, with winners being revealed at the end of October. The exhibition runs from Saturday October 11 - Friday October 31. The dolls are eager to share their curatorial concepts with you, don’t be late, or else...
Creepy Dolls: Loose in the Vaults Opening Reception (Adults Only 21+)
Be the first to witness the Doll’s amazing work! The exhibition reception and reveal will take place at The History Center of Olmsted County Friday October 10, from 7-9 pm, and is adults only. There will be a cash bar, and we will be joined that evening by our favorite local podcast duo Kelley and Emily from their podcast Wining about Herstory, where they will be providing some snarky and scary commentary for those brave enough to enter. Come and enjoy the show, get a little frightened perhaps, vote on your favorite doll, and maybe learn a thing or two. Admission is $5 for members, $8 if purchased in advance on our website, or $10 at the door (Click here). We hope to see you there.
On Social Media
The Creepy Dolls will never forget their roots as a viral social media phenomenon and are bringing history and havoc online for their global followers. Follow online to see what shenanigans manifest.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OlmstedHistoryCenter
Instagram: @olmstedhistorycenter
About the Creepy Dolls at HCOC
The Creepy Doll Contest began in 2019 as a series of viral social media posts featuring rarely seen, and uncannily creepy, dolls from HCOC’s collection of artifacts. The collection currently houses 140 + vintage dolls that range from the 18th to 21st century. The Creepy Dolls have been featured in numerous media spotlights including CNN, O Magazine, Hyperallergic, MPR News, and Smithsonian Magazine.
Since the contest began, HCOC has received new doll donations from Olmsted County and occasionally dolls from other regions of the U.S. which we encouraged to be offered to their own local museums. All items in HCOC’s collection, including the Creepy Dolls, must have direct ties to Olmsted County’s history. Thank you for donating and participating, we couldn’t do what we do without the community’s help.