If you are a Madame Alexander collector, fan or just love dolls, then don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Madame Alexander Heritage Gallery in Upper Harlem.
History of Madame Alexander
Visiting the Madame Alexander factory, I was struck by my lack of knowledge about the company that has been around since 1923 and has been located in the same Harlem factory since the 1950’s.
For the uninitiated, Madame Alexander was actually “Beatrice Alexander Behrman,” the daughter of Russian immigrants whose father founded the first doll hospital in the United States. It was only natural that Beatrice would enter the family business, starting Madame Alexander when she was just 28 years old. Madame Alexander has always been an innovator since its inception, originating the idea of creating dolls with a historical background or were based on characters from literature or movies. Sounds a little like American Girl. The company was also responsible for introducing dolls with “sleep eye”, meaning a doll’s eyes close when you lay them down.
Madame Alexander Factory Tour
The official tour of the Madame Alexander factory starts in the lobby where you can’t miss the human-size doll boxes and the larger than life kid’s chair. This is a photo opportunity not to be missed. While the dolls are now made abroad, the designers and samples are created in the factory.
While a tour through Madame Alexander Heritage Gallery® showcases over 600 glamorous dolls wearing intricate designs, it actually is a walk through history starting in the 1920s and present day. Not only will you see historic dolls like the Jacqueline Onassis doll but also Harry Potter, Elvis and even the Desperate Housewives dolls.
Like fashion houses, Madame Alexander releases a new collection each year but what struck me as interesting is that the “Wendy” face is used in most dolls with only slight changes to the makeup and hair.
As part of the tour, you will be able to see experts construct famous figurines such as the “Cissy” doll, created in 1955 and was the first full-figured doll to wear haute-couture clothing. The doll hospital is where dolls can have their hair, arms and legs replaced, repaired or new make up applied. The doll hospital will even repair non-Madame Alexander dolls. Mothers the world over have been sending their dolls to Madame Alexander to be rejuvenated for the next generation. And finally, you will be able to visit the gift shop where you can purchase any number of dolls to add to your collection or begin one.
If you are looking for a something totally different to do while in New York or even if you are a New Yorker, Madame Alexander offers a unique New York City experience and best of all, is truly affordable.
The Behind the Scenes Tour which includes the Heritage Gallery, the showroom, design, sewing and production and the doll hospital, cost just $8 for adults and children are only $4. There is also a free guided tour option which includes just the Heritage Gallery and the Showroom. Definitely opt for the Behind the Scenes Tour. In addition, there is a Create-a-Doll or a Hat workshop that can be added to the tour for only $10.00.
Madame Alexander
615 W. 131st Street, near Broadway
New York, NY 10027
Subway: 1 train to 125th Street
For more information, visit madamealexander.com or to arrange a behind the scenes tour, call
(212) 283 – 5900 x7299 or email: [email protected]
