Step Into Their Stories: Celebrating 40 Years of American Girl

A Special Anniversary Showcase

Step into the past and mark 40 years of American Girl storytelling with a special pop-up exhibit from Blake Changnon and The Changnon Family Museum of Toys and Collectibles!

Step into the past and mark 40 years of American Girl storytelling with a special pop-up exhibit from Blake Changnon and The Changnon Family Museum of Toys and Collectibles, featuring the beloved American Girl Historical Characters and their very first stories—the “Meet” books that first introduced them to readers. 
 
This mini-museum experience brings to life the opening chapters of the first six 
Historical Characters books: Meet Felicity, Meet Josefina, Meet Kirsten, Meet Addy, 
Meet Samantha, and Meet Molly. Through rare and original items from their 
collections, you’ll see how each character was first introduced—her family, home, and 
community, as well as the challenges and hopes that defined her world. 
 
Travel through American history as you explore Felicity’s spirited colonial beginnings, 
Josefina’s New Mexican traditions, Kirsten’s immigrant journey, Addy’s courageous 
first steps toward freedom, Samantha’s Victorian elegance, and Molly’s wartime 
resilience. Each display highlights the artifacts that made these opening chapters 
unforgettable and placed readers right inside each girl’s world. 
 
This exhibit is hands-off to protect these fragile, one-of-a-kind items from the 
museum’s collection. Visitors of all ages—children, teens, and adults—are welcome, 
as long as museum etiquette is observed. For that reason, we recommend this 
experience for ages nine and up. 
 
Come celebrate history, storytelling, and the magic of first introductions through the lens of American Girl’s Historical Characters and stories. 
 
This exhibit is independently curated and is not affiliated with or endorsed by American Girl or Mattel. 
 
Entry into this exhibit will be on a rotating basis with up to 15 people allowed in the room at one time.  

This program is a MoComCon event. MoComCon is a two-day event, celebrating all things comics, graphic novels, and fandoms! To view more information and events, check out the MoComCon website! 

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Children attending an MCPL program under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Questions about this program? Contact the branch at (240) 777-0110

Looking for more fun things to do at MCPL? MoComCon 2026 is coming!
Join us at Germantown Library and BlackRock Center for the Arts on March 20th & March 21st!
Take a look at our Schedule of Events!

Take a look at these MoComCon resources for suggested graphic novels and nonfiction for kids, teens, and adults!

There's so much to do at the library! Don't have a library card? Find out how to Get a Library Card.

This program is co-sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County & BlackRock Center for the Arts

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

cm 1.1 01/03/2023

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