These colorful Sunbonnet Babies are illustrations from children's books written by Winter Park resident Eulalie Osgood Grover. Eulalie, the daughter of a Congregational minister, grew up in New England and graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy in Vermont, which was the alma mater of several Winter Park notables, including Charles Hosmer Morse.
Eulalie’s first Sunbonnet Babies Primer was published in 1902 in collaboration with artist Bertha Corbett. It quickly became a standard reader in elementary schools across the U.S., selling more than one and one-half million copies. The “Sunbonnet” craze took off and the images of little Molly and May were widely sold on calendars, pottery, postcards, and collectables.
The Grover name may sound familiar as her brother, Edwin Osgood Grover, was the beloved “Professor of Books” at Rollins College and helped establish Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park. Eulalie moved to Winter Park in 1926 and some years later founded the Hannibal Square Library with her brother. She continued to share her literary gifts with America's children until her death on December 22, 1958. Eulalie is laid to rest in Winter Park's Palm Cemetery.
The enchanting adventure stories of Molly and May took them around the world. The faces of the little girls were always hidden by huge sunbonnets. The author said that the actions of the charming duo, rather than their faces, expressed the “charm of their personalities.”
“Sunbonnet Babies” Molly and May on “washing day” featured on a 1900 Royal Bayreuth vase.
The Winter Park History Museum honors Grover’s contribution to children’s literature at the current
exhibition Rollins: Florida’s First College The Early Years 1885-1935. Come by and immerse yourself in the college experience of that period. Admission is free. Tuesday-Friday 10-4; Saturday 10-2.
The exhibition features historic recreations, including a 1930’s dormitory room and parlor. A play area for children is a recreated 1880’s classroom with chalkboard, period desks, and some of the 27 books that Eulalie authored.
Comentarios