Barbie brings her special magic to South Florida — with new exhibit, teatime and runway show

The Old Davie School Historical Museum is like a Barbie Dreamhouse.

Starting July 3, the “Barbie Girl: A Collector’s Showcase” is taking over the Viele House — one of six buildings on the museum’s campus — with dolls curated by South Florida Barbie-zon and longtime collector, Constance Ruppender .

“There’s lots of cool, old antique furniture in the Viele House. And nothing looks better with vintage Barbie than vintage furniture,” Ruppender says. “We have a whole room devoted to ‘Barbie’ the movie, and the living room has on the fireplace mantle … the evolution of Barbie from the early Bild Lilli , who was the inspiration for Barbie, from the first ponytail in the zebra swimsuit to the introduction in 2016 of the different body types, and everything in between. So people can get a sense of how Barbie has evolved over the last 65 years.”

Back in 2004, Ruppender was involved with moving the Viele House from its original location a few blocks away to the museum’s grounds.

Old Davie School’s executive director Leslie Schroeder agrees that it’s the perfect venue for Barbie.

“It has so much charm and space for Barbie, her fashions, her accessories, her cars and more,” Schroeder says . “This new exhibit in a historical venue like the Viele House takes visitors through an experience of time according to Barbie, showcasing Barbies from the ’50s, ’60s and all the way up to this year. You’ll be amazed at the details, the fashions, the movie room!

“Visitors will be surprised that this is only a small portion of the collector’s collection. Constance Ruppender has nearly 1,000 Barbies in her collection at her home in Wilton Manors.”

The weekslong doll-themed event will include the exhibit through July 26, a raffle for a chance to win a Barbie Dreamhouse, and a “Tea with Barbie” on July 27.

Below, find more details from a Q&A session with Ruppender that’s been edited for brevity and clarity.

Q: Why do you think Barbie has endured and even thrived over the last 65 years?

A: Because she can be anything … you’d be surprised how many men show up at the convention. For little girls and little boys, it’s a chance to figure out what you want to do. And that was what (Barbie creator) Ruth Handler was inspired by. She was watching her daughter play with paper dolls, changing their outfits and pretending to be a nurse, or a teacher, or a rock star, or a doctor. It’s play. It’s all about the play value. I don’t care what collectors tell you, it’s all about the play value.

Q: How did you decide which dolls from your vast collection to include?

A: I tried to include something from every era, because you got the vintage, which goes from 1959 to 1972. Then you have the 1970s, the mod era. And then when you get into the ’80s and ’90s, that’s a superstar era. The 2000s, from 2000 to 2020, is when the Silkstones were out for collectors. They stopped that line a few years ago, so they become even more valuable, not just in dollars, but in value to the collectors. … Then the different body types, the fashionistas, the little mini collections … I’ve tried to include something for everyone. I’ve got dolls that are wearing homemade outfits, because a lot of people like to sew for Barbie or knit for Barbie. I’ve just tried to pull things from my collection that kind of reflect what other collectors are also interested in.

Q: Before the internet, where connecting with collectors can be done on a global level, there used to be Barbie collector groups in different cities and towns. Was there one in Davie?

A: Yes, the Orange Blossom Fashion Doll Club. It was in Davie. They used to meet at the Woman’s Club, right across the canal here from the Old Davie School. It was the Orange Blossom Barbie Club and then Mattel came down on all the clubs using the Barbie name, so we changed the name to Orange Blossom Fashion Doll Club.

Q: You also have a “Tea with Barbie” planned for July 27. What can people expect to happen at that event?

A: So at the tea, we start with a runway show. We have volunteers, from high schoolers all the way up to adults, (dressing) as their favorite Barbie. … All the little girls and boys, they all sit at the tables all around the runway. They get snacks and stuff while they’re watching the show. And then the Barbies come around and visit the table like a Disney character (experience). They come around, they sign the autograph books, they take pictures. The little girls, they come in their party dresses and their patent leather shoes with their Barbies in hand, and they’re ready for tea and fun. The little ones just love it. They think it’s fabulous.

Q: What’s the best part of these Barbie exhibits?

A: It’s always fun to see someone else’s collection. You know, I love going to other people’s houses who are collectors and just … take in all the eye candy. You just look and look and look, and it just fills you with such joy and takes you out of this crazy world we live in. Barbie has a real knack for getting you outside of yourself and making you feel peaceful and joyful. Oh, and the shoes. The most important thing is keeping up with the shoes. The shoes are really important.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “Barbie Girl: A Collector’s Showcase”

WHEN: Through Friday, July 26

• Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, with last entry at 3 p.m.
• Museum will be closed on Thursday, July 4, for the holiday.

WHERE: Old Davie School Historical Museum, 6650 Griffin Road, Davie

COST:

• Admission is $10 for the exhibit alone.
• You may choose to combine the Barbie exhibit with the regular museum admission for $15.
• Tickets to the “Tea with Barbie” event from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, July 27, are $30.

INFORMATION: Visit olddavieschool.org or call 954-797-1044. You may also go to Instagram.com/olddavieschool and Facebook.com/OldDavieSchool .