“Celebrate the Holidays with American Girl” Reflection
A message from Blake Changnon, founder, president, and CEO of The Changnon Family Museum of Toys and Collectibles:
A week later, I’m still carrying the warmth of the “Celebrate the Holidays with American Girl” pop-up exhibit with me.
There’s something special about letting an experience settle. In the days since the exhibit, I’ve thought often about the quiet moments in the room. Children standing carefully behind the tape, reading every word. Parents pointing out details they remembered from their own childhoods. Visitors lingering longer than they planned, moving slowly from display to display as if paging through a well-loved book. It was a powerful reminder that these stories do not just live on shelves. They live in people.
Curating this exhibit during the holiday season felt especially meaningful. Each character’s traditions, whether Felicity’s fashion doll or Samantha’s gingerbread house, reflect not only history but care, intention, and the belief that children deserve stories that honor who they are and where they come from. Seeing those values resonate so clearly with visitors reaffirmed why I do this work.
One moment I will always hold close was the presence of my dear friend Valerie Tripp, who came simply to support and share in the joy of the day. Valerie’s writing shaped so much of what was on display, and having her there, quietly observing visitors engage with these stories, felt full circle. Her friendship and encouragement mean more to me than I can put into words.
I’m deeply grateful to the library staff, and to Alex, whose behind-the-scenes support makes every exhibit possible. A sold-out room is gratifying, but what stays with me most is the feeling in that space: thoughtful, reverent, joyful.
As I continue building future exhibits and sharing more of this collection online, I carry this week as a reminder of why American Girl still matters. Not as nostalgia alone, but as living history that brings people together.
📸: Montgomery County Public Libraries