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This photo, part of the Naperville Heritage Society collection, shows the great-grandchildren of Naperville resident Willard Scott Sr. engaged in a tea party and playing with other toys on the porch of a house in the 1890s. Miniature tea sets for children first appeared in Europe in the 16th century, but became popular in the 19th century both as a way to encourage girls to play quietly and to learn skills they would later need when they were adult women hosting events at their homes. China dolls and toy trains, also seen in the photo, were popular children’s toys at this time as well.
