Barbie: The History of America’s Most Famous Doll

March 7, 2025 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm; University Place

Address: 1700 Lindberg Road, West Lafayette, IN 47906

SHE MIGHT BE THE MOST FAMOUS DOLL IN THE WORLD.

For more than sixty years, Barbie has been adored, analyzed, collected, criticized and loved. In this illustrated lecture, historian Leslie Goddard delves into the history of Barbie and her inventor, the passionately creative — and intensely competitive — Ruth Handler. Learn what inspired Handler to develop Barbie in 1959, how Barbie helped make Mattel one of the world’s most successful toy companies, and what Barbie’s impact has been on American culture.

Bring Barbies of your own to share if you’d like!

Light refreshments will be served. Limited seating.

RSVP by Monday, March 3, 2025 to Jeanne Smith, 765-464-5611 or jesmith@franciscancommunities.org