For more than three decades, Fred Rogers was our neighbor. Through his television programs, he was a special friend who helped children grow up healthy. If you were a child during his era, you got to visit his neighborhood through the screen. Now you can do so in real life. The Heinz History Center in Rogers’s own city of Pittsburgh has several items from his set on public display.
(Photos: Senator John Heinz History Center)
Among them is King Friday’s castle, the Great Oak Tree, Mister Rogers’ living room, and several of his puppets.
-via Daily of the Day
P.S. A few months ago, I read Many Ways to Say I Love You: Wisdom for Parents and Children from Mister Rogers. I highly recommend it. This book helped me clarify who I want to be as a father.
I waa an intern once upon a time at WQED here in Pittsburgh, where Mr. Rogers did his show. I came flying in the door one morning, frightened that I would be late. I looked up and there was Fred Rogers, waiting for the elevator. He actually paused his conversation, looked at me, and said, "Hello."
I loved him when I was a kid and there he was, being the same way in person that he was on the show. All of a sudden, I felt much more calm.
As an adult, I so appreciate that he was the real deal. I got to a point as a kid where I was too cool for his show. But once I grew up, I was just stunned that he was genuinely a nice, caring guy. People here in Pittsburgh who knew him say the same thing - he was just the real deal.