There’s no denying that growing up in the ’90s was a simpler time: landline phones, VCRs, and mail-order catalogs. The best one? Hands-down the American Girl catalog (closely followed by Delia*s, in my opinion). It was a wish list, a teacher, and a window to the world, both past and present. I’m not sure there’s ever been anything else quite like it. Thankfully, for millennial moms like myself, our appetite for American Girl nostalgia is still satiated by an ever-thriving version of the company today.
And the brand continues to make news. Today, in honor of its 40th anniversary, American Girl just made a big announcement millennials have been waiting for: they’re officially bringing back the original Historical Characters that started it all! AG is reintroducing all eight of their iconic 18-inch dolls—Addy Walker, Felicity Merriman, Josefina Montoya, Kirsten Larson, Kaya, Kit Kittredge, Molly McIntire, and Samantha Parkington—bundled with their signature outfits, accessories, and a book. The packaging is even inspired by their original 1986 designs! All of the dolls are available for pre-order on the American Girl website starting on April 7, 2026 and they’ll ship out by May 1, 2026.
So, as a mom, I feel even more grateful to share these “vintage” dolls and their revival with my daughter, especially because—along with American Girl—I too am turning 40 this year. When I first sat down to write this article, I wasn’t sure how I would possibly put into words all that American Girl has meant to me over the years, but it quickly became clear. Beyond encouraging the all-important work of play, American Girl has elevated the stories of girls throughout history. In turn, they’ve taught generations of girls that they matter. Their stories matter. Their struggles matter. And their voices matter. Here’s what that continues to mean to me today.
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American Girl’s links to the past and future
My earliest memories of the American Girl catalog are from my grandparents’ house. They received a catalog in the mail. As the sole granddaughter at the time, my grandma set it aside for me. We both loved flipping through those pages. She was a devoted Molly fan due to their shared experience of being young girls during World War II. At the time, I loved it all. Eventually, I received my own Samantha doll, as so many girls my age did.
“American Girl has elevated the stories of girls throughout history, and in turn, taught generations of girls that they matter. Their stories matter. Their struggles matter. And their voices matter.”
Fast forward to now. American Girl doll beds, dresses, and those impossible black Mary Jane shoes scatter the floor in my basement. Though my daughter is only 4, she’s already taken to my collection, creating her own fun, her own stories. How I wish her great-grandma could see what lives on, but what a joy it is to see it with my own eyes.
Growing with grace together as American Girl turns 40
How often do cultural icons age, gracefully, I may add, right alongside their audience? I honestly don’t know the answer to that, but I know that’s been the case as American Girl turns 40. From their start with three original historical dolls, Samantha, Molly, and Kirsten, to now, an empire of dolls spanning a multitude of eras, complete with the accessories they need to conquer girlhood of all kinds. They’ve rolled with the times, expanding to brick and mortar stores and publishing their own magazine (which, sadly, went out of print in 2019). Of course, now all their products can be ordered from their website, but the mail-order catalog persists.
American Girl has consistently met their audience, past and present, where they are, continuing to inspire every step of girlhood, and now womanhood. They prove that, as women and girls, we are always growing, always becoming. By bringing back their classic historical dolls for their 40th anniversary, they not only invite young girls to embark on a new journey with these characters, but also invite Millennials like myself to reflect on the joys of our own childhoods—and to share those moments with our kids.
Representation matters at AG—time and time again
Released in 1993, Addy Walker was the first Black American Girl doll. And while she might not have been the perfect representation, since then, American Girl has expanded their line of dolls to include girls from different ethnic and racial backgrounds. They also introduced a line of dolls that can be customized to represent the diverse looks of girls everywhere. When girls can see themselves in cultural icons and representations, it fuels their belief in themselves. Although it’s worth noting, after the online announcement of new KPop Demon Hunters American Girl dolls, comments from AG fans shared disappointment that the brand still has yet to debut an Asian-American historical doll.
For me, I vividly remember the release of Josefina Montoya, a Mexican-American doll. I was starting to age out of playing with the dolls, but I instantly fell in love with Josefina because her Mexican-American heritage and dark hair mirrored my own. And yes, you best believe I whooped out loud when I saw Raquel, another Mexican American doll and a descendant of the original Samantha Parkington, was American Girl’s 2026 Girl of the Year.
American Girl’s love for storytelling
Storytelling has always been at the heart of American Girl. Whether it was reading the books that accompanied each doll or creating one’s own stories through play, it was a way to encourage creativity, understanding, and empathy. As a lifelong lover of words, this became another full-circle moment for me. I had the American Girl books read aloud to me first. Then, I read them on my own. Now, I’ve read small excerpts of them to my daughter. With the new historical collection and the revival of the original dolls, I’ll also get to share the stories of these classic characters I loved so dearly as a little girl.
The thing about stories is they are often timeless, just like American Girl is proving to be as well. Without being fully conscious of it, the stories we hear as girls continue to impact us as we become adults. So the stories of independence, kindness, hope, and determination that we felt at our core as children continue to guide the women we are today. And that’s something to be proud of.
American Girl’s legacy to carry forward
As I write this, the world feels a bit heavy, a bit like it’s falling apart, but you know what? There are still some things I feel proud and hopeful about. And one of those things is the sense of power and joy it brings me to see women of my age using their voices, leaning on hope, and fighting for change when it comes to causes they believe in. All of which are things American Girls do. And though a direct connection can’t be proven, to me, that is what American Girl’s legacy is all about.
It’s about giving girls a voice and educating through stories. It’s about building emotional empathy and resilience. And it’s about knowing your worth and advocating for it. Most importantly, it’s about knowing just how powerful it is to be a girl and, in turn, a woman. Here’s to another 40 years of American Girls and beyond.
Shop the Original American Girl Historical Dolls
Dana Peters, R.D., Contributing Writer
Dana is a writer and registered dietitian specializing in family and kids nutrition living in Wisconsin. From healthy family eating to reliable baby gear to wellness for moms, she has covered it all. She is mom to Charlie and Eva, a wannabe baker, and a farmer’s market enthusiast.
Rebecca Smith, Editorial Intern
As editorial intern, Rebecca works with The Everymom team on updating existing content, photo sourcing, pitching original articles, and more. She’s passionate about creating authentic and diverse online content, and is thrilled to help women of all ages feel represented by contributing to The Everymom.
