RAGGEDY ANN'S INDEX PAGES
...................................................................................................................Picture
courtesy of Ruth @ R-Antiques in Idaho
(These pages are best viewed on NETSCAPE.)
Raggedy
Ann Thanks her Friends
Raggedy
Ann's Real Home
Arcola, Illinois, the birth place of Raggedy Ann.
The New Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum
Traveling
Raggedy Ann visits Our House
Raggedy
Ann's Childhood Friends
.............The History of Sparkle Plenty
THE
GIFT a christmas story of love
Its
A Small Small World
The Story of A Few Wayward Raggedys
From Nanny's Shelter
A
SHORT LITTLE HISTORY
Johnny
Gruelle was born in the town of Arcola, Illinois in 1880. His parents
saw to it that he was exposed to the arts and literature. The children
were encouraged to sing, play musical instruments and paint. When Johnny
was a toddler, the family moved to Indianapolis. Johnny Gruelle’s childhood
was spent among writers. He learned, at a young age, the significance of
a well told tale. When he was older he began working at a newspaper drawing
cartoons. Johnny married Myrtle and they had a little girl whom they
named Marcella and sons Worth and Dick. Johnny wrote many stories about
fairies and gnomes and good hearted people. His stories and drawings became
very popular.
One
day, as one story goes, Marcella was playing in her grandmothers attic
and found a tattered doll in an old trunk. She brought the doll to show
her father. Together they drew a smile on the dolls faded face and attached
two round black buttons for eyes. They agree the dolly looked much
better, but the doll had no name. Johnny remembered a poem he had
heard “The Raggedy Man” by James Whitcomb Riley. Thus the doll was named
Raggedy
Ann.
Marcella loved the doll and her father made up many stories to entertain
his children. Johnny decided to have copies of the doll made, and sell
them so other children could also enjoy a doll like Raggedy Ann. When Marcella
was 13, she passed away. Her father and mother were heart broken. Johnny
took a leave of absence from his job. When he was able to return
to his studio, many friends stopped by to console him. Someone asked him
about
the
the small rag doll with the painted on face perched on a shelf. Johnny
Gruelle began writing down some of the stories he had told his daughter
as he sat at her bedside during her illness. Marcella and the faded doll,
named Raggedy Ann , inspired Johnny Gruelle to write many many stories
about Raggedy Ann that are still popular today.
In
May 1999, Joni Gruelle Wanamaker, daughter of Worth Gruelle, (Marcella's
brother) opened a new museum in Arcola, IL, The museum is the Raggedy
Ann and Andy Museum. What a wonderful place it must be. This year, 1999,
Raggedy Ann is 84 years old.
MY OTHER PAGES:
HERE COME THE KATS
As Raggedy Ann shares her home with me
and all of my interests, she gave me permission
to list these links. She tolerated the cats as well.
:)
Denotes, still
working on page. Check back.
Come
To Our Wonderful World of Kats
................New
Cats On The Block
1) Link to Tiger ( hard of hearing) but belongs to the BFCC Band.
2 ) Link to Scruffy's family
3) Link To " THE LONGEST WALK"
Rainbow
Bridge
.....................My
Furry friends who have gone over The Bridge
......................My Calico - A Poem
The
Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat
The
Ugly Cat
A
very sad story.
I hope these last few links will, in no way, detract from the Raggedy page. Raggedy Ann and I both hope you will enjoy your visit.
......................
page updated February 18, 2002