American Girl is Remixing 6 of Its Most Beloved Historical Dolls — and They’re Not at All What You’d Expect
American Girl turns 40 this year, but the company’s core collection of historical dolls has just inspired a new line of modernized dolls that feel entirely 2026-coded. While American Girls’ historical dolls are styled to reflect bygone times in American history, the updated versions will reimagine the characters through a contemporary lens — including clothing and accessories inspired by the original dolls’ styles.
The six new dolls include the core characters: Kirsten Larson, a Swedish girl who immigrates to Minnesota in the 1850s; Addy Walker, a Black girl who was born into slavery and escapes to Philadelphia in the 1860s; Samantha Parkington, a wealthy orphan in the early 1900s; Felicity Merriman, of colonial Williamsburg; Molly McIntire, who grows up during World War II; and Josefina Montoya, who lives in Colonial New Mexico in the 1820s.
The new dolls are smaller and less expensive than the classics: The Modern Era Dolls are 14.5 inches (the originals are 18 inches), and priced at $90 (the historical ones vary in cost but are generally upwards of $130). The American Girl Modern Era collection is available for pre-sale now and will ship by May 1.
American Girl has long been known for its line of historical dolls that aren’t just dolls. They’re characters with rich pasts and books that tell their stories, and the stories of their own eras. Many original American Girl fans are introducing the dolls to their own children — myself included. A few years ago, I took my own kids to the American Girl store in Chicago. I was amazed by how much has changed within the brand … and by how much has stayed the same. While there are so many products, outfits, and accessories for kids to collect, the iconic American Girl characters I remember from my own childhood still feel like the core of the brand.
That might be why some longtime fans aren’t thrilled about the new, modernized takes. In response to an Instagram post announcing their release, one commenter shares, “There is something so special about the classics though. Modern outfits for the 18” dolls would have been better in my opinion. But the historical characters and their stories have been a big influence in my girls loving history and reading. We will stick to the originals ❤️.”
If the modernized dolls aren’t your thing, the original dolls are still available for purchase. As a parent (and a woman who once loved the American Girl dolls myself), I appreciate the idea of using the original iterations of the dolls to teach my own kids about our nation’s history, especially through the lens of the young girls who lived through different eras. To me, the modern dolls represent a way to show our children just how much things have changed — and how these changes affect the experiences of real-life American girls.