Kirsten Larson was part of the first three American Girl dolls released back in 1986. Unlike her fellow companions, Samantha Parkington and Molly McIntire, she was much more vintage than them. Her storyline takes place back in pioneer days and with her birthday being celebrated this week, here are some fun facts about Kirsten Larson and her time period!

"American Girl"

Facts About Kirsten Herself:

Fact One: She was born June 8, 1845, and if she were to be alive today, she would be 171 years old!

Fact Two: The Kirsten Larson doll, like mine, is one of the Pleasant Company dolls to have the “silver eye” defect due to the pinwheel eyes. Though most collectors, like myself, choose not to have her eyes replaced due to the beautiful soft eyelashes that came with the original doll.

Fact Three: The last name “Larson” is seen in another American Girl series. In the Kit Kittredge book series, she has a neighbor named Mrs. Larson.

Fact Four: Before the release of the Native American doll (Kaya), Kirsten also had a Native American friend named Singing Bird. In the novels, Kirsten also gives Singing Bird her hankie as a token of her friendship.

Fact Five: The “Meet” outfit for Kirsten is to show her traditional Swedish background. Back in the day, you could even dress like your doll! The original “Meet” outfit was available for girls until the 2000s, when it was weeded out.

Fact Six: Kirsten makes a very close friend on the ship as she makes her way to America, and her name is Marta. Marta passes away before making it to America from cholera, allowing the American Girl series to be accurate for the time period.

Fact Seven: Though she was retired from the American Girl collection back in 2010, her mini dolls were not officially gone until the BeForever lines of the American Girl dolls until 2014.

Fact Eight: Kirsten celebrates Christmas like other Sweden and Norway girls by dressing as Saint Lucy. During this day (December 13), the young girls travel from house to house and carry rolls and other baked goods.

Facts About the Time Period:

Fact One: In Kirsten’s birth year (1845), the first Swedish immigrant farmer was over in America. He was believed to lead the first group of Swedes and allowed others to follow suit in the years to come.

Fact Two: The earliest data that shows life expectancy in Switzerland was back in 1876 and was only 40.5 years old!

Fact Three: June 1, 1850 shows that the American population had grown almost 36 percent since 1840.

Fact Four: Oct. 11, 1851, the first World’s Fair closes after being open for 141 days.

Fact Five: In 1854, when Kirsten Larson turned 9 years old, the New York World’s Fair closes after 393 days of being open.