The Fred Rogers Archive preserves over 22,000 items from Fred Rogers' personal and professional life. The Archive is essential to the work of the Fred Rogers Institute, and is a source for research into children’s television, early childhood development, and Fred Rogers’ unique role in bridging both fields. Undergraduate students, graduate students, and researchers may request access provisions to study Fred’s life and legacy. Please complete the form below to reach out to our Archivist. Below, you can explore a sampling of the Archive - you're sure to find a treasure!
Fred Rogers helped children to learn that they are lovable and capable of loving. He believed that love is the basis of learning, and this article focuses on the connection between love and learning how to write. He comments on the power of the written word—even if children cannot yet read what you've written to them.
Mister Rogers meets ballet dancer Ying Li and is anxious to try a few dance moves on his own. She takes his hand and guides him through some of the steps. She shows how her special shoes allow her to stay up on her toes. Mister Rogers says that her love for dance is evident in the way she moves around to the music.
Fred Rogers quotes Margaret McFarland in this column about a week of Neighborhood programs dealing with fantasy and reality. Fred had a rationale for everything he presented on television, and he wrote columns to help parents and caregivers understand his reasons and motives for each week of Neighborhood programs.
Sam Newbury, initially a producer for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, went on to work on some of Fred's projects beyond the television program, including professional development and educational materials.
Itzhak Perlman lets Mister Rogers look carefully at his violin. Mister Rogers asks him to play "Yankee Doodle." Perlman tells how difficult it is to even produce a sound on the violin when you first start playing.
Chef Brockett introduces Mister Rogers to two people who perform pantomime. The coach, Tim Scanlon, is deaf. Mister Rogers asks him to recite and mime a poem that most children would know. Mister Rogers wonders how his two new neighbors teach people pantomime, and they demonstrate by making an invisible banana split.
Margy Whitmer was the producer of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and worked closely with Fred starting in the early 1980s. In this oral history clip she tells about the public service announcements Fred filmed during difficult times.
In 1995, Fred Rogers devoted a week of programs to angry feelings. When Fred was angry, he would go to the piano and play out his feelings. During this "Mad Feelings" week of programs, viewers meet special guests and hear how they handle their emotions.
Mister Rogers talks to his viewers about divorce. He says that even though it is an adult issue, it is an important matter that everyone can talk about. Mister Rogers pretends that the king, queen, and prince are having a picnic. In the park, the king and queen have a number of disagreements.
If you have an item you believe belongs in the Fred Rogers Archive, please let us know! The items in the Archive must be directly related to Fred Rogers and his production company. We do not accept self-created items such as creative, journalistic, or research writings, or artwork. We do not purchase items to include in the Archive or sell memorabilia from the Archive.