Mask
Mister Rogers would sometimes play with masks on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. He said that sometimes, when you're uncomfortable or shy, you might feel like putting on a mask. In this photo, Fred is sitting in his office at WQED.
The Fred Rogers Archive
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!
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Thoughts 1361-1365
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.
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Mister Rogers Visits the Ballet
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.
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Everybody Has a History
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.
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Art Vogel Oral History
Art Vogel was a cameraman at WQED who spent many years filming Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Vogel witnessed some of those times when Fred would go to the piano to express his anger.
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Around the Neighborhood
Each "Around the Neighborhood" newsletter focuses on a Neighborhood theme week. The front page of the newsletter is an explanation of the child psychology theories behind each theme week.
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Sign Language
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.
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Mister Rogers Talks About Divorce
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.
Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Fred Rogers Archive with Mr. McFeely
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.
Contributing to the Archive
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.