It was tea time at the historic Sprague Mansion on Sunday, and it was a special one.

Dozens of little girls, with their favorite dolls in tow, showed up for refinement and refreshments in the mansion’s grand ballroom as the Cranston Historical Society hosted its second annual “American Girl Doll” tea.

American Girl Dolls, popular since they were first marketed in the mid-1980s, are lifelike dolls that often represent a period in history, and each comes with a book that tells her story. With names like Molly McIntire, Josefina Montoya and Kit Kittredge, they are designed to teach about culture and history while inspiring girls to find their own strengths in modern times.

The dolls have earned an almost cult-like following, with an estimated 36 million sold over the last four decades. Mothers pass them on to daughters, and many of Sunday’s guests had dolls that had been much-loved in their families for years.

Grace Swinski, a member of the Cranston Historical Society and organizer of the event, said she was inspired by her now-grown daughter’s love of her American Girl Doll and the memory of the two of them going to New York City to enjoy tea at one of the company’s stores there.

“This is a nice fundraiser for the historical society and a chance for the girls (and their dolls) to visit this gorgeous mansion,” said Swinski who relied on her family’s experience in the catering business, as well as volunteers, to create a high tea menu complete with scones, miniature cupcakes, finger sandwiches and rose petals scattered on the tiered serving plates.

Most of the young guests were accompanied by their moms or grandmothers, and they had dressed up for their occasion with party dresses, sparkly earrings and hair bows. Some wore outfits that matched their dolls and delighted in the long rows of tables that had been carefully set with linens, china teacups and teapots in all shapes and sizes.

Cinnamon tea was poured for the adults, while lemonade was served to the younger guests.

The event gave the girls a chance to take part in a traditional formal tea, said Lucrecia Gomez, who was enjoying the afternoon with her daughters, Debbie and Melissa Morente Gomez – and their dolls, of course. She noted that in the current age of too many electronics and digital distractions, the American Girl Dolls give youngsters a chance to use their imaginations while playing.

 More than 60 people attended the tea, and the escorts – mostly moms and grandmothers – said they loved the chance to bring the youngsters to the elegant mansion on Cranston Street.

The sprawling white clapboard manse was originally built in 1790 but expanded significantly in 1864. It is the birthplace of Gov. William Sprague III and is also home to his nephew, Gov. William Sprague IV.

Sunday’s visitors were delighted to get their dolls comfortably seated in the formal surroundings which included chandeliers, an Italian marble fireplace and an elaborate curved stairway.

“I like the fact that any of these little girls could have lived in this house playing with their dolls just like they do today,” Swinski said.