The Elkhart County Historical Museum, 304 W. Vistula in Bristol, Ind., will host its annual American Girl Doll event on Saturday.

The featured doll this year is Addy, a girl born into slavery who escapes to freedom during the Civil War.

Program attendees will do crafts and activities centered on Addy’s life while also learning about the Civil War and slavery.

For one of the activities, girls will make cowrie shell necklaces.  Addy’s mother gave her the necklace when they were escaping to the north.

“It symbolizes love and the strength and courage that can come from that love,” said curator Rebecca Oestreich.  “Addy needed that love to get her to freedom and also to help her in her new life in Philadelphia.”

The girls will also do a small sewing project.

“Addy’s mother worked as a seamstress to make an income for their family,” Oestreich said.  “Addy naturally learned how to sew herself so we’ll do a simple project to teach the girls some sewing skills.”

Finally, the girls will make spool puppets — a popular toy from the era and something Addy made to raise money for wounded soldiers and others impacted by the war.

Girls are encouraged to bring their American Girl Doll to the program, but it is not required.

Everyone is welcome to attend the program whether or not they have a doll.

Cost to attend is $4 per girl. Participants may choose a morning session from 10 a.m. to noon or an afternoon session from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Call (574) 848-4322 to register.