CAFe Speaker Series: It’s Not Easy Being a National Treasure: The Henson Collection at the National Museum of American History

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UMD students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends—join us for the CAFe Speaker Series. (Registration Required)

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Abstract:

Many visitors to the National Museum of American History walk past Abraham Lincoln’s hat, the First Ladies’ dresses, and the Star Spangled Banner to find the national treasures they’re really looking for: Jim Henson’s Muppets. The collection of over 40 historically significant Henson puppets and props date back to 1975, when Ernie and Bert puppets from Sesame Street were displayed in an exhibition titled We The People. Jim Henson himself visited the museum to donate a Kermit puppet in 1980 while in Washington DC for the World Puppetry Festival, and Jane Henson made a gift of the original Sam and Friends puppets including the original 1955 Kermit to the museum in 2010. Find out why the Henson collection is among the favorites of visitors, researchers, and museum staff as well!

Bio:

Ryan Lintelman is a public historian and historian of American entertainment with a special interest in the history of film, television, and comedy, currently serving as Curator of the Entertainment Collection at the National Museum of American History. In his scholarship, he explores how people living in the United States have interacted with popular entertainment, and how popular culture shapes and reflects historical debates and developments. By probing the production, exhibition, reception, and cultural conversations surrounding entertainment performances and products, he strives to engage a broad public in discussions of Americans’ understandings of themselves and their place in the world throughout the nation’s history.

 

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Additional Information:
Please contact infoevents@umd.edu at least one week prior to the event to request disability accommodations. In all situations, a good faith effort (up until the time of the event) will be made to provide accommodations.

For parking information and directions, please visit the Transportation Services website or view the campus map.

Register Here