Collection of Jim Henson Puppets and Props Donated to Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History

Elmo and Fozzie Bear

Elmo and Fozzie Bear

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. recently received over 20 Henson puppets and props on the anniversary of Jim Henson’s birthday. The donations include characters from The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, and Fraggle Rock. According to the museum’s blog, the collection won’t be on display immediately as they need to be repaired in the museum’s textiles conservation lab. The museum’s senior costumes conservator, Sunae Park Evans, and executive director of The Jim Henson Legacy, Bonnie Erickson, are collaborating to make these crucial repairs. Behind the scenes photos from the collection are available to view at the museum’s Flickr page.

Stitching in the process of replacing damaging foam

Grover’s tag identifies him as “Old Grover.” The tag also notes that this Grover, from 1967, is the “wrong color.” Today, Grover has blue fur and a pink nose.

Ready to go!

J.P. Grosse, Scooter, and the Swedish Chef

muppets

Red Fraggle, Boober Fraggle, and Traveling Matt

images via National Museum of American History

via National Museum of American History, My Modern Metropolis

Rusty Blazenhoff
Rusty Blazenhoff