Shirley Temple's Personal Childhood Collection of Memorabilia Heads to Wenham Museum

She was "America's Little Darling" and Hollywood's top box-office draw for four consecutive years. Starting at the tender age of three, Shirley Temple acted, danced and sang her way into the hearts and minds of the world, later becoming a public servant and finally, a US national treasure. And over Mother's Day weekend, as the region's exclusive host of the "Love, Shirley Temple" exhibit, Wenham Museum is pleased to share a personal look into the life and work of the world's most famous child actress.

As part of a limited nation-wide tour sponsored by Theriault's,the world's auction leader for important childhood objects, "Love, Shirley Temple" will be the featured exhibit at the Wenham Museum from May 7 through Mother's Day, May 10. Wenham Museum is the only museum in New England selected to share this once-in-a-lifetime exhibit which spans Temple's rise to stardom in 1928 and the Depression Years, and concludes with the end of her childhood in 1940. The collection includes Temple's most recognizable movie costumes, a child-sized racing car, a Theodore Steinway-inscribed baby-grand piano, autograph books, and her own dolls and playthings, among many other items.

"Through movies such as 'Bright Eyes,' 'Curly Top' and 'Heidi,' Shirley Temple quickly became the cherished treasure of a nation - a treasure who transcends generations to this day," said H. Ernest Stone, chairman of the Wenham Museum Board of Trustees. "Being selected to be New England's exclusive host for 'Love, Shirley Temple' is thrilling and at the same time humbling. We're honored to share this unique exhibit with our patrons, and hosting it over Mother's Day weekend is an added bonus."

Wenham Museum is one of five museums in the country selected for the exhibit by the family of Shirley Temple Black and Theriault's. The tour ends on July 14 with a public auction of the collection.

"Among other reasons, Wenham Museum was selected as the region's exclusive host for 'Love, Shirley Temple' because of our passion for protecting, preserving and interpreting the artifacts of childhood including our own world-renowned antique doll collection," said Kristin Z. Noon, executive director at Wenham Museum. "Like the childhood objects visitors will see as part of this exhibit, collections of past generations help current generations appreciate the values, manners and mores of a previous age. This exhibit is truly a special treat for the region."

In advance of "Love, Shirley Temple," the museum, in collaboration with The Cabot Performing Arts Center, will be showing "Curly Top," one of the child actress' most beloved movies at The Cabot in Beverly on Sunday, May 3 at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at thecabot.org. On Friday, May 8, museum members and non-members are invited to the spring fundraiser - Celebrating Love, Shirley Temple for an evening of Hollywood glamour that includes refreshments and an opportunity to visit the exhibit.

All proceeds from "Love, Shirley Temple" and the spring fundraiser benefit the educational and preservation mission of the Wenham Museum. For more information about "Love, Shirley Temple," the spring fundraiser and the Wenham Museum, please visit http://www.wenhammuseum.org/.

About Wenham Museum
Established in 1922, Wenham Museum was founded to protect, preserve and interpret the artifacts of childhood, domestic life, and the history and culture of Boston's North Shore. Wenham Museum is proudly accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, placing the museum within the top six percent of institutions as only 1,700 museums are accredited nationwide. As an accredited museum, Wenham Museum has pledged to adhere to best practices in ethics, collections management, education, exhibit design, financial stewardship and strategic planning. For more information, please visit http://www.wenhammuseum.org.

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