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!
These materials tell about the special guests and Neighborhood of Make-Believe storyline from the Neighborhood week on "Fun and Games." Fred Rogers' message seems to be that joining a team and learning a game can be difficult, but persistence and a desire to play can lead to much joy in a sport.
Fred Rogers first sketched out the idea for this story in 1950. Josephine is a giraffe with a short neck who is desperate for her neck to grow so she will look like her parents and other giraffes. In 1989, Fred produced the story as an opera for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
In this segment, Ma explains how he was introduced to music through his sister, a violinist. He was discouraged that he could not play as well as her, but he soon discovered the cello. Mister Rogers asks him if his mood influences the way he plays.
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 first sang this song in 1972 in an episode when he talked about history in general—and then his own history. This song might be particularly helpful for children who are dealing with a new baby in the family, or for children who are feeling like they are not big enough or old enough to do certain things.
Fred Rogers studied many languages throughout his life, including French, Spanish, Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and American Sign Language. He presented these languages in different ways throughout the Neighborhood series.
Fred Rogers wrote these tips for parents on how children can learn about being helpers. The emphases on cooking and working towards a goal relate to a particular week of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood episodes. Mister Rogers bakes waffles with a few Neighborhood friends.
The first time Mister Rogers sang this song, he was remembering a time when he was angry with a friend. His negative emotion scared him and he needed to talk about it with a caring adult. This song acknowledges that fear is closely entwined with anger.
David Newell, best known as Mr. McFeely, the beloved “Speedy Delivery” man on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, takes viewers behind the scenes of the Fred Rogers Archive. From the Giant Crayon and the Knock Box to Fred’s very first episode script, David offers a unique glimpse into the history of the show, sharing memories and stories that bring these special pieces of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood to life.
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.
