Ida, the standing doll, was given to a little girl from Minnesota named Ida Van Gelder by Bishop Henry Whipple on Christmas Day in 1863. The kind Episcopal bishop believed that any little girl who came to Sunday school every day, rain or shine, for an entire year deserved a beautiful doll.
Ida is dressed exactly as she was when she was given to the little girl Ida. Her tight bodice is made of dark blue velvet. Her embroidered net skirt is gathered over a pleated pale blue silk skirt.
Her companion, who is nicknamed Alice In Wonderland because of the way she does her hair, is about the same age as her.