The John Lee of Nansemond Chapter, National Society Colonial Dames 17th Century, held its last meeting of the spring at The Plaza Restaurant. Meetings will resume in September.

President Mary Margaret Quiggle presented a very interesting program entitled “Before There Was Barbie.” Her program was the evolution of dolls from those made of corn shucks, scraps of cloth, handkerchiefs, then heads made of porcelain with cloth bodies and even a cloth doll with its head made from a hickory nut. She displayed dolls made with all the above-mentioned items.

President Quiggle taught the members to make Colonial dolls. She had prepared kits for each member containing the materials and instructions on how to make the rag doll.

The only necessary materials for a no-sew doll are one square of cotton muslin for the body, one square of printed cotton for the dress, one short tie for the neck, a longer tie for the dress and bonnet and cotton stuffing for the head. The members were pleased to take their Colonial dolls home after the meeting.

The newest member of the chapter, Abigail Legg, was recognized. She makes the third generation in the same family who are members of the John Lee of Nansemond Chapter: Anita Ward, grandmother of Abigail, and April Legg, mother of Abigail. Abigail will be entering the University of Georgia this fall as a junior.

For the next meeting, the Dames are looking forward to joining with the John Sumner Chapter, Colonial Dames 17th Century, and the Pierre Robert Chapter, Daughters of the American Colonists in Albany.

Several members of the John Lee of Nansemond Chapter CDXVIIC are also members of the Pierre Robert Chapter, Daughters of the American Colonists.