Our Treasures: Whangārei Museum's wooden Dolly Mare reminds of rocking horse era
19 Apr, 2021 05:00 PM
4 minutes to read
The rocking horse in the new toy display at Whangārei Museum.
OUR TREASURES
Just in time for the school holidays there is a display in the main gallery of the museum of toys that were in vogue before iPhones, iPads and Mr Google came along. Among these classic
items is a beautiful wooden rocking horse, donated by ED Kaye, known to the family who owned it in 1937 as Dolly Mare.
The history of rocking horses can be traced back to the Middle Ages, to the popular toy of the day, the hobby horse. A horse's head made from felted wool or similar materials was attached to a long stick. Children could pretend to ride these make-believe horses.