Picture courtesy of “Barbie of the Bells” Facebook page
Jefferson Matters and the Greene County Historical Society were presented with the Outstanding Marketing Collaboration award through Travel Iowa’s Iowa Tourism Office. The award was granted to the organizations for their partnership with the “Barbie by the Bells” project. Last year, over 1,000 Barbie dolls were on display at Sensibly Chic and Greene County Historical Museum, which is one of the largest collections for public viewing in the whole country. Many events were held, including open houses that featured Barbie-related activities, private tours of the dolls, and a pick convertible that could be seen driving around town. Eleven communities were presented awards through Iowa Tourism, which included the City of Manning for the listening area. State Tourism Office Manager Amy Zeigler says, “These awards celebrate the creativity, dedication, and passion that continues to drive our visitor economy forward. Their efforts also contribute significantly to our local communities and businesses. “Barbie by the Bells” was a fundraising effort, and all proceeds were donated to the Greene County Historical Museum.
