Monday, December 7, 2009

A Celebration of 40 Years of Sesame Street!

Sesame Street is a educational television series that has been inspiring and educating children since 1969. Through the use of songs, colorful graphics, live actors, animation, puppets, etc, it has stimulated young children's minds and helped them improve their letter and word recognition, basic arithmetic skills, and to learn basic skills such as sharing and cooperative play and that learning can be fun!

The Central branch of the Brooklyn Public Library is hosting an exhibition called "Sesame Street -- A Celebration of 40 Years of Life on the Street" up until February 21, 2010. The original Bert and Ernie puppets, built by the Jim Henson Company, can be seen above.

This exhibition is made possible in part by The Jim Henson Company and The Jim Henson Legacy. The library foyer cases show the story of Sesame Street, from its inception to its present and future, told through photographs, scripts, original sheet music, celluloid animation and show props. Also featuring a special collection of Sesame Street Muppets, built by The Jim Henson Company over the show's 40 years.

A few close ups

Who was your favorite Muppet?



The exhibit explores the making of Sesame Street, from initial concept papers, audience research and curriculum goals to outreach initiatives that respond to current social and developmental needs of children. It highlights the scripts, songs and animations that make the show beloved by children and adults. And, of course, it showcases the multi-talented human cast and Jim Henson's Sesame Street Muppets.

The original sheet music for the opening theme song of the show, written by Joe Raposo.

Another familiar original song was " The People In Your Neighborhood?" by Jeffrey Moss

The original script explaining to the muppet Big Bird that the character Mr. Hopper
had died.
The episode to teach its young viewers about death as a natural part of life and that it is OK for everyone, children and adults alike, to grieve when someone they love dies.
A photo of some of the original cast members; from left to right they are Bob McGrath, Loretta Long, Matt Robinson (who was originally a writer and producer for the show) and Will Lee.

Sesame Street won many Emmy Awards and other awards for excellence over their forty years of broadcast. One of their Emmy Awards can be seen in the exhibit.

I loved this scene of a puppet of Bert holding a black and white photo of his creator Jim Henson in turn holding him.

Jim Henson was one of the most widely known puppeteers in American history and the creator of The Muppets used on Sesame Street.

The grand lobby of the library has an exhibit of original Sesame Street book art from Sesame Workshop's Publishing Archive, featuring a range of illustrators' works in a variety of styles from the 1970s to the present.



Please click to enlarge this collage of photographs that I took of many of the original Sesame Street illustrations.
I remember that my children once had a set of flash cards that were based on these drawings!

A small portion of the Brooklyn Public Library's Central Library's youth wing.
.
In the youth wing there is a variety of Sesame Street stories, illustrated with photographs, show props and Sesame Street Muppet materials on display. Also, the international reach of Sesame Street is highlighted through photographs and books from around the world.

A portion of the Sesame Street multimedia collection available to borrow.

It was an interesting exhibit that brought back many memories from the years my children watched the program. Just like this young child with her grandmother, my grandson already enjoys looking at Sesame Street books, and while he is too young, as yet, to watch television I'm sure one day he will be another generation that will enjoy learning from Sesame Street!


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50 comments:

Carol said...

What a fantastic and really fun exhibit! Elmo is my favorite, but Big Bird definitely runs a close second! Loved Sesame Street. and the music of Joe Raposo! Fun post!

Anonymous said...

My children loved Sesame Street.... When it was on they were glued to the TV & I even found myself humming some tune from it!!
It was a big loss to Public Educaton when Jim Henson passed away.....
Great Post!!
Happy Holidays!!
Love,
Marilyn

Just a little something from Judy said...

This is a wonderful, dear-to-my-heart post. Having three daughters and one of them born in the 1970s, Sesame Street has been a real part of my life for many years. I would love to take my grandchildren to see this display. Maybe when they are a few years older. Thanks for helping me relive some very special memories.

pammiejo said...

I love the Muppets and Sesame Street. We have a collection of the Muppet shows. My kids grew-up with Sesame Street. It's hard to select a favorite character - but Grover comes to mind. My little ones at school loved THE MONSTER AT THE END OF THIS BOOK which was a Sesame Street book. Thanks for the memories! PAM

Jenny said...

What a fantastic display! I think my kids had those flash cards, too. They look oddly familiar! Glad to see you are hobbling around and still seeing wonderful things!

CatHerder said...

thats awesome! after all these years, id still choose sesame street over disney, any day! :-)

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Who doesn't adore Sesame St? Bert and Ernie were (are) my favorite - I love that friendship they've got going - especially the time they recreate O'Henry's "The Gift" and sell their prized possessions to buy something for each other. I sometimes wish I had grandchildren just so I'd have an excuse to watch it again.

Tracy said...

WOW...So much fun! I would love to have seen this exhibit for real... But thanks, as always, for taking us there, Pat. I loved Sesame Street as a child, and still love it. I still LOVE Elmo! LOL! It is wonderful seeing my young nieces appreciating something I did as young girl, how it keeps going round. Loved this post! Happy Week, my friend ((BIG HUGS))

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Thank you for such an awesome post. I wish I could visit the exhibit. My children loved Sesame Street and so did their Mama(me)! Such great songs, teaching and lovable characters. My favorite is BIG BIRD just such a sweet gentle guy. My oldest daughter loved THE COUNT, I think because she loved numbers and his cape. My younger daughter loved Big Bird also but had a special love for Oscar the Grouch, something about him she just loved. Well thanks so much for such a great trip down memory lane. My children also had those flash cards! I think I will send this link to both my girls so they can enjoy this memory also.

Kathy said...

Yep not sure who enjoyed Sesame street more the kids or hubby and I, we loved them all. what a wonderful exhibit. thoroughly enjoyed your music Pat, happy week to you, Kathy.

Claudia said...

I sobbed when Jim Henson died. I can still sing all the songs. And I have a friend who was a muppeteer which was the height of working in the arts for me! Long live Sesame Street!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I have always loved Sesame Street--and was so sad when Jim Henson died. What a loss!!!!

Thanks for the great post today, Pat.
Hugs,
Betsy

Grace said...

what a great exhibit! I did not think I would get to it and was hoping you would go and post!! lol You read my mind...Looks so great Grace

Susie Q said...

Oh Pat! I have envied so many things you get to do in the NYC area but this one has me GREEN!! *laugh* How I love the Muppets and Sesame Street. Isn;t it amazing they have been with us so many years??
This was such a joy to see and read!
Love,
Sue

Anonymous said...

I've marked this one to discuss with 3-year-old "Elmo" grandson. :) Thanks.

RNSANE said...

What a truly delightful and happy exhibit. I loved Sesame Street, probably more than my children. I loved all the characters...can't decide which was my favorite though I could probably relate best to Cookie Monster!

Pat, thanks for sharing this exhibit with me, on the other side of the country!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

My oldest daughter loved Sesame Street..she is 27 today, and because she loved it, I loved it too. My favorite charaters? So many...Big Bird, Telly Monster, Mr Snuffleupagus, The Count and of course Oscar..he was such a trouble maker! My daughters favorite was cookie monster. I remember telling my daughter about Mr. Hooper passing and she cried and so did I. There is a new book out about the 40 years on the street.
♥, Susan

Sara said...

That would be a terrific exhibit to see. That's the only thing I miss about living in a small city...the library isn't very big.

When I lived in Florida the library was huge! And, then in Tennessee - they built a beautiful library that I enjoyed for the last three years we were there.

But, for a small library we have a nice one...

Elisa Day said...

Lovely post! The cookie monster is my favorite! :D

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Pat!

What a great post on Sesame Street. I think Jim Henson was a genius! He was so creative & clever. I know my boys learned A LOT from him and his darling muppets!

Hope you & Vinny have a fabulous Christmas in the awe of the big city!!

Christmas hugs to you both, Sherry & Wes

nanny said...

What a great exhibit and a wonderful post!!! I wish I could see this one!!! I have 2 daughters who grew up with Sesame Street and it was a wonderful educational show. They both knew there ABC's at 2 years old thanks to Sesame Street. My favorite was Cookie Monster, but I think the kids would say Big Bird!

Unknown said...

Pat,
I love Sesame Street...brings back such sweet memories of my daughter sitting in her little red rocking chair right in front of the TV...she loved it!

Did u know that Jim Henson was born in Greenville, Mississippi? There is some type of monument here but I haven't seen it.

You are adorable in the post below!

Ebie said...

Oh, Pat what an extensive post! They have quite a collection! I could spend hours or maybe the whole day just looking at the display! I really enjoyed this post!

Happy Holidays!

Moose said...

Great post on Sesame Street! I read on Shelagh's blog you are in Colorado.
If you are in Fort Collins we could visit!!! Check out my blog.
Tail Wags to All.
~Moose

Moose said...

Great post on Sesame Street! I read on Shelagh's blog you are in Colorado.
If you are in Fort Collins we could visit!!! Check out my blog.
Tail Wags to All.
~Moose

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I adore the Muppets, and my favorite is Kermit.

I'm so glad that you are going to be with your dear ones for the first birthday celebration, Pat! Loved hearing that!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Marg said...

Thanks for all your research in sharing this post. How many times did I sit and watch this with my little ones and now I hand it on to the next little ones.
Thanks for renewing my memories.

~Cheryl said...

Boy does this bring back a lot of memories! Thanks for posting!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Oh they do make me smile!
Do you remember Bert and Ernie from It's a Wonderful Life??

Jeanne said...

Oh my gosh Pat what a wonderful tribute for the sesame gang. Your post has done a great job sharing the exhibit. Thank you so much. My favorite is Big Bird. However, I love them all. So many memories with our kids and grands.

I am visiting your pink Sat. post next. I am FINALLY having a bit of time to visit my dear blogging friends. Busy!!! describes my life but I love my life and enjoy every, sometimes exhausting, minute. BIG smile here.

Hugs, Jeanne

Carole Burant said...

Oh how I wish I could go see this exhibit! My boys loved Sesame Street and I would always sit down with them to watch it:-) My favourite muppet has always been Grover. Jim Henson was a pure genius and I remember when he died, how devastated we all were, thinking that there would no longer be a Sesame Street or muppets...how wrong we were:-) xoxo

Arlene Delloro said...

Fabulous post, Pat. I have fond memories of Sesame Street, which began the year I started teaching.

Just A Girl said...

Hi Pat,
My tea pot made it to it's new home today and it is gorgeous! Thank you and Vinnie too for drawing my name. I'll probably put a post up in a day or two.
I hope you're having a wonderful time.

Love,
Cori

Just A Girl said...

Oops! Sesame Street...my favorite was definitely the Snuffelufagus.I thought he seemed so cute and shy ;-).

Love, Cori

Camille said...

Yay! I love Sesame Street. Having been born the same year it was introduced I was and always have been a big fan.

I love the pics. Thanks for taking so many:D

Rhonda Hartis Smith said...

I know I'm getting old now, can't believe it's been 40 years of Sesame Street!!!

Junie Moon said...

What a lovely tribute to Sesame Street. My favorite character is the Count. He always makes me smile.

Michelle said...

What a wonderful exhibit! I grew up watching Sesame Street and loved it. Thanks for sharing.

Carol Murdock said...

Hey Pat! Thanks for this great post! A great tribute to one of Mississippi's favorite sons!! :)

Beverly said...

Pat, this is wonderful.

That was my Wednesday question a few weeks ago. My favorite is Grover.

Are you back yet? I know you had a wonderful time.

Anonymous said...

Hia Pat, my fav Sesame Street character was the Count. I was a huge fan of the Muppet Show with Kermit and Miss Piggy. I loved how Animal the drummer would get so wild and the chef made me laugh. Maybe he is my chief cooking inspiration? LOL

steviewren said...

You've got me humming the theme song...Can you tell me how to...how to get to Sesame Street? Cookie Monster is my fave...love the way he gobbles up all the cookies. I used to imitate him and make my kids giggle.

Sue said...

Oh Pat, this would be such a treat to see in person! You are so lucky to have all of this so readily available to you. I started singing the theme song when I saw the sheet music.... How funny. I always loved the sweet little voice of Elmo!
Thanks once again for taking us on another great visit,
hugs, Sue

Unknown said...

What a great tribute to a wonderful show. My children spent many a day watching Sesame Street. Elmo was always my favorite little guy. Great photographs Pat of a wonderful exhibit.
Karen

RoeH said...

I loved Sesame Street. My little girl was about 18 months when it started and we were living in Ogden, Utah. I don't think she missed an episode. Or maybe it was me. I watched it more than she did probably.

GMG said...

Hi Pat! Lovely post! It came later to the TV in Portugal, so it was a treat for my daughter... ;)

Blogtrotter just finished Bilbao 2008. Enjoy and have a great weekend!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oooooh! I bet I know what you're doing today! Can't wait to hear!

I answered this last week, but I love Kermit!

XO,

Sheila :-)

La Petite Gallery said...

My Gosh!

You really did so much research,
How many hours did that take? Just fabulous Loved the music
I used to sing along.
40 years.

A big hug for all that work.

Yvonne

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Has it really been forty years. How time flies. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.
Sam

Unknown said...

Beautiful post Pat, I would love to go there..probably more than the children. they have all phased out of Sesame street into more teenager stuff..but I love Big bird forever :) Hugs/m