By Michaela Gordoni
Next year will mark 40 years since American Girl Dolls took the U.S.’s female population by storm.
The Holland Museum in Michigan is celebrating the doll brand’s birthday with a new “American Girl Adventure” exhibit available from Dec. 19-Jan. 4. It features 13 historic dolls and ’90s and early 2000s memorabilia, 13 On Your Side reported on Dec. 2.
It also has some 1980s dolls from Pleasant Company, which was the original company that made American Girls. Mattel has owned the brand since 1998.
Exhibit guests may bring their dolls and visit the bracelet-making station, theater station, design-a-dollhouse station, scavenger hunt and more. It’s safe to say it isn’t just for kids — American Girl Dolls have grown up right along with millennials.
Related: American Girl Dolls Coming to the Big Screen
Best Product’s Cat Bowen summed up why American Girls have been and still are such a hit.
“Every doll comes with a history, a life lesson, and a world girls can explore at their own pace,” Bowen said. “Samantha tapped into Victorian perseverance. Addy embodied bravery. Felicity represented the pushback of a young nation — and of the girls who refused to conform. Today, the company continues to introduce new characters with modern struggles, yet each one still embodies the same sense of personal agency and empathy.”
As part of the 40th anniversary, American Girl introduced its 2026 Girl of the Year, Raquel Reyes, a modern Mexican American girl who is a direct descendant of the Samantha American Girl Doll.
“Kindness is a key trait parents want to instill in their children, and it’s at the heart of Raquel’s story,” said Jamie Cygielman, Global Head of Dolls, Mattel. “Just as our beloved American Girl historical character Samantha Parkington inspired generations with her compassion and courage, Raquel continues that legacy for today’s girls. Through Raquel’s story, we hope kids see that they, too, can make a positive difference in the lives of others, starting with the people closest to them.”
“It was an absolute joy to create Raquel Reyes as the American Girl 2026 Girl of the Year,” said Angela Cervantes, author of Raquel’s journal and novel. “From the start, I was a huge fan of Samantha Parkington, and having the chance to write her great-great-granddaughter’s story was a true honor.”
To celebrate the anniversary and doll’s launch, American Girl will donate over $100,000 in books to children through a partnership with Save the Children.
Hard-core fans may have some more surprises in store next year. It’s rumored that Felicity, Samantha and Josefina will get modern versions of their classic outfits in honor of the anniversary.
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