Suzy Belle Boy Doll by Hualapai Tribal Doll FactoryBureau of Indian Affairs Museum Program

The “Suzy Belle” dolls were hand made in the early 1970s at the Hualapai Tribal Factory in Peach Springs, Arizona.

Suzy Belle Boy Doll by Hualapai Tribal Doll FactoryBureau of Indian Affairs Museum Program

The dolls, which are collectible items today, initially sold for about $18.

Suzy Belle Boy Doll by Hualapai Tribal Doll FactoryBureau of Indian Affairs Museum Program

Seamstress Annie Chase created the original pattern in the 1860s when she made these dolls as gifts.

Suzy Belle Boy Doll by Hualapai Tribal Doll FactoryBureau of Indian Affairs Museum Program

Ms. Chase’s pattern was passed down to her granddaughter, Ruth Underwood, who improved the pattern, developed a fabrication process, and opened a factory with her husband to manufacture “Suzy Belle Dolls.”

Suzy Belle Girl Doll - "Miss Rhode" (1974) by Hualapai Tribal Doll FactoryBureau of Indian Affairs Museum Program

The factory employed about twenty Hualapai tribal members who produced an average of 59 dolls each day.

Suzy Belle Boy Doll - "Sterling" (Circa 1974) by Hualapai Tribal Doll FactoryBureau of Indian Affairs Museum Program

Funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs helped support operations.

Suzy Belle Girl Doll (Circa 1974) by Hualapai Tribal Doll FactoryBureau of Indian Affairs Museum Program

Following a dispute with the Underwoods, the Hualapai Indian Tribe began manufacturing the “Hualapai Indian Doll” which was similar to the “Suzy Belle” doll but wore more traditional styles of clothing and had more Native features that included dark hair and the incorporation of feathers and headbands.

Suzy Belle Boy Doll (Circa 1974) by Hualapai Tribal Doll FactoryBureau of Indian Affairs Museum Program

The Underwoods relocated to Colorado where they continued to make their original dolls as well as adding African American and Caucasian themed variations.

Suzy Belle Girl Doll - "Miss Norma" (Circa 1974) by Hualapai Tribal Doll FactoryBureau of Indian Affairs Museum Program

Manufacturing ceased later in the 1970s.

Suzy Belle Boy Doll (Circa 1974) by Hualapai Tribal Doll FactoryBureau of Indian Affairs Museum Program

Suzy Belle Girl Doll - "Little Star" (Circa 1974) by Hualapai Tribal Doll FactoryBureau of Indian Affairs Museum Program

Suzy Belle Boy Doll - "Kent" (Circa 1974) by Hualapai Tribal Doll FactoryBureau of Indian Affairs Museum Program

Suzy Belle Girl Doll (Circa 1974) by Hualapai Tribal Doll FactoryBureau of Indian Affairs Museum Program

Suzy Belle Boy Doll - "George" (Circa 1974) by Hualapai Tribal Doll FactoryBureau of Indian Affairs Museum Program

Suzy Belle Girl Doll - "Miss Gladys" (Circa 1974) by Hualapai Tribal Doll FactoryBureau of Indian Affairs Museum Program

Suzy Belle Boy Doll - "Kent" (Circa 1974) by Hualapai Tribal Doll FactoryBureau of Indian Affairs Museum Program

Credits: Story

Highlights from the BIA Museum Collection was developed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Museum Program, September 2016.

Shannon Stiles, Staff Curator
Annie Pardo, Museum Program Manager

------------------------------------------

Alan, Mike. “Hualapai Plant May Close: Suzy Belle Doll Future Uncertain.” Kingman Daily Miner, May 21, 1976, p. 1. Accessed September 27, 2016. news.google.com/newspapers?id=0DtTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5IIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6820%2C3984172


“Suzy Belle Factory Gets $100,000 Grant.” Kingman Daily Miner, July 28, 1975, p. 6. Accessed September 27, 2016. news.google.com/newspapers?id=60NTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=y4UDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3718%2C1361014

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Explore more
Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites