Samantha Parkington

Samantha Parkington was one of the first three Historical Characters of the American Girl Dolls, representing the Edwardian Era. Samantha was released in 1986 along with Kirsten Larson and Molly McIntire.

Basic Facts

 * Name: Samantha Parkington
 * Birthday: May 26th, 1895
 * Series Location: New York
 * Series Timeline: Late Summer 1904 to Winter 1907

Personality and Facts
Samantha is an orphan who, at the start of the series, is living with her old-fashioned Grandmary. She has a rough side such as climbing trees. She is very interested in her parents and their lives, as she lost them both when she was about five years old.

Samantha likes progress and is interested in how things are changing in all ways at the turn of the century. At times she comes off as very naive due to her sheltered life; Nellie's harder life originally served as contrast to Samantha's well to do life.

American Girl characterizes her as "compassionate" and "kind."

Family and Friends

 * See Also: Minor Characters in Samantha's Series

Major Characters

 * Mary Edwards: Samantha's grandmother, Grandmary
 * Gardner Edwards: Mary Edwards' son, and Samantha's uncle.
 * Cornelia Edwards: Samantha’s aunt and Gardner’s wife.
 * Lydia Parkington: Samantha's mother. Deceased.
 * Nellie O’Malley: Samantha’s best friend.
 * Agnes Pitts: Samantha's cousin, twin to Agatha.
 * Agatha Pitts: Samantha's cousin, twin to Agnes.

Minor Characters

 * Eddie Ryland: Samantha’s troublesome neighbor.
 * Jessie: Grandmary’s seamstress.
 * Archibald Beemis: A friend to Grandmary.
 * Elsa: the maid.
 * Mrs. Hawkins: the cook.
 * Hawkins: the butler and driver

Books
See List of Samantha's Books

Other Media

 * Samantha: An American Girl Holiday: movie

Movie Books

 * Samantha: An American Girl Holiday: - Telescript of Samantha’s Movie
 * Lights, Camera, Samantha!

Doll
Main Article: Samantha Parkington (doll)


 * Face Mold: Classic Mold
 * Skin: Light
 * Hair: Dark brown, curly
 * Eyes: Dark Brown

Samantha's Meet outfit:

 * Maroon checked taffeta dress
 * White bloomers
 * Black stockings
 * Black slip-on ankle shoes
 * Maroon checked taffeta bow

Meet Accessories

 * Burgundy plush hat
 * Locket brooch
 * Velvet clasp purse
 * Indian head penny
 * Handkerchief

Collection

 * See Samantha's Collection

Trivia

 * While Samantha is marketed by American Girl as from the Victorian era, Queen Victoria died in 1901 and the series starts in 1904. The series can be percieved as Victorian due to Grandmary who is very traditional in mindset; however, she does change her mindset quite often through the series, showing a change of mindsets from Victorian to Edwardian. There is always a slight overlap of eras in history; however, the attitudes, social air and issues, and fashions of the stories place Samantha more properly as Edwardian. This is especially seen in the blurring of class issues seen through Samantha and Nellie. In the Victorian Era, it was very poor form for the rich to deal with the poor in any way as possible equals or worry about concerns of their station in life, and Nellie would have most likely not been adopted by a rich family if the series was properly Victorian.