The Mighty Sound of Maryland celebrates Jim Henson, Kermit and the Muppets during a 1990 half-time show with Mrs. Jane Henson and then-president Britt Kirwan.
A wider shot of the Henson Memorial Garden.
An appreciative crowd claps as the statue is unveiled.
Jim Henson's Designs and Doodles Exhibit in the Maryland Room Gallery.
The Henson Legacy's Karen Falk in a 2003 interview about the Jim Henson Designs and Doodles exhibit.
Jim Henson and his cast of characters.
Jay Hall Carpenter in the foundry. Here he speaks about his vision for the statue.
Carpenter works on the sculpture while Gonzalo Accame takes videos for his documentary.
Jane Henson speaks during the ceremony. Listen to her reaction afterwards.
Elmo and Kermit with journalist Michael Guillen during the Winter 1996 Commencement.
Former Maryland President (now USM Chancellor) Brit Kerwan greets Mrs. Henson at the Winter 1996 Commencement ceremonies.
A Henson panel discussion was held during the September 22, 2006 Jim Henson: Creativity and Other Inspirational Stuff celebration at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. Watch the video!
The Jim Henson: Creativity and Other Inspirational Stuff celebration included an exhibition in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library (MSPAL).
Q - How did the Jim Henson Statue and Memorial Garden come about?
A - Every year, the graduating classes at Maryland decide on a class gift. The class of
1998, through its Senior Council, decided they would donate a statue of Jim Henson (with Kermit) to honor his
contributions to the university and the world. The class of 1999 gave funds to provide for a memorial garden where the statue could be placed and enjoyed. The class of 1994 also donated funds toward the $217,000 project.
The Henson family worked with the university to choose a sculptor for the statue, ultimately choosing Jay Hall Carpenter.
Q - Where is the statue located?
A - The statue is in a memorial garden designed by landscape architect Philip Cho on the grounds of the
Adele Stamp Student Union at Campus Drive and Union Lane.
Q - Tell me about the dedication ceremony and coverage.
A - The dedication ceremony took place at 11:00 am on September 24, 2003 at the Stamp Student Union.
NBC's Williard Scott - who worked with Jim Henson - was the Master of Ceremonies. A giant Kermit inflatable also made an appearance.
Some 400 people attended the event including many students and fans from across the U.S. Media coverage included CNN, local TV stations from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, the AP, Washington Post, Washington Times, WMAL radio and many others.
Download a copy of the program (PDF).
Q - What other events were held to honor Jim Henson in 2003? A - Campus Drive was renamed on the 24th to Sesame Street as was done in 1997 for the original Muppets
Take Maryland celebration. Other events included a VIP luncheon, Muppet movie fest on the 22nd and 23rd at the
university's Hoff Theater, and a halftime show by the University of Maryland Marching Band at the September 20 Terp football game vs. West Virginia. The University of Maryland Libraries sponsored an exhibit at the Hornbake Library's Maryland Room Gallery called Jim Henson's Designs and Doodles that ran through the semester (see more below). Offcampus, the AFI Silver Theater in Silver Spring held a wonderful tribute to Henson and his legacy on September 25th, and offered a month-long filmfest as well.
Q - What more can you tell me about the Henson exhibit at the Hornbake Library?
A - Jim Henson's Designs and Doodles was produced by the University of Maryland Libraries in concert with The Jim Henson Legacy. Henson Legacy Archivist Karen Falk said at the time that the exhibit was a look at the "raw" genius of Jim Henson, as he worked to develop on paper what would ultimately become his beloved cast of Muppets. There were also some video presentations that included Henson interviews and Sesame Street clips. The exhibit closed December 19, 2003.
Q - Is there anything else significant about September 24th?
A - September 24th is also Jim Henson's birthday! He was born in 1936, so on September 24, 2003 Jim Henson would have been 67 years old. His birthday was celebrated at the dedication with cupcakes topped with green icing.
Q - How was Jay Hall Carpenter chosen as the sculptor?
A - The university held a national competition. In December of 2000, a committee made up of university
representatives, the class of 1998 and the Henson family chose the Carpenter design from three finalists. Jim's widow,
Jane Henson, said of Carpenter at the time "His grasp of Jim's work and spirit makes him the ideal artist to create
this statue of Jim Henson and Kermit the Frog." See Jay Hall Carpenter's Website.
Q - How does the Carpenter design differ from the original concept for the statue?
A - Originally, the design called for Kermit resting on Jim Henson's knee. Carpenter's vision was to
have Jim Henson sitting on a bench looking at his most famous creation sitting on top of the bench
and looking back. As Carpenter said upon his selection, "This sculpture will capture the personality
of both Jim Henson and his created partner Kermit." He added, "Their whimsy and humor will be
conveyed through the depiction of their light-hearted interaction."
The Henson statue was
cast and assembled at the
New Arts Foundary
in Baltimore.
(Double click on photo
to run video)
Q - When and where was the statue cast?
A - The statue was cast at the New Arts Foundry (called one of the finest arts foundries on the East Coast.) in Baltimore the week of July 14, 2003. Kermit was attached to the Henson statue on Tuesday, September 9.
Along with the pictures, there's a video as well (right).
The statue was installed at its new campus home on September 18.
Q - How much does the sculpture weigh?
A -Foundry officials estimated the weight at 450 lbs. The red marble seat the statue is attached to weighs approximately 2000 pounds.
Q - What did Mrs. Henson say at the dedication ceremony?
A - She thanked the university and sculptor Jay Hall Carpenter while praising her late husband for his contributions to "mid 20th century culture" adding "what a great birthday present." (Listen to additional comments at left.)
In the July 8, 2003 edition of the The Diamondback, she said:
"This is a wonderful honor for Jim. It was at the University of Maryland that Jim explored his interest in the fine and performing arts that would later bring him worldwide recognition and success. Jim never lost sight of that and was forever grateful to his fellow classmates and instructors who encouraged him in his work."
Q - Was Kermit Ever a commencement speaker?
A - Kermit and Elmo were the featured speakers during the December, 1996 commencement ceremonies (pdf) . They were joined by
ABC News journalist Michael Guillen, the science correspondent for "Good Morning America" and "Nightline." Gregory Casamento, '96 wrote to College Park Magazine (Summer 2001 edition) that he wondered at the time "What am I going to tell people about who spoke at my graduation? I thought, Surely, I can't tell them it was Kermit and Elmo! I regretted thinking that as later on I found that they actually had a lot to say about where we are going in life and what we should expect. Additionally, I thought it was a fitting tribute to Jim Henson, an alumnus of the university."
The Postal Service's
Vice President of Consumer Affairs and UM Alumnus Michael Spates presents a Henson commemorative stamp set to President Mote and Mrs. Henson.
(US Postal Service photo)
Q - Talk about the Henson commemorative stamp.
A - On Friday, September 30, 2005 the Postal Service released a wonderful Jim Henson the Man Behind the Muppets commemorative stamp set. During a ceremony in front of the Henson statue on campus, the Postal Service presented University of Maryland President Dr. C.D. "Dan" Mote, Jr. with a giant poster of the stamp set and an engraved plaque. The stamps were also sold
with a special postmark just for the Maryland community. The 37-cent commemorative stamps not only honored Henson, but it was also released on the 50th anniversary of Kermit's first appearance on TV.
One stamp featured a photograph of Henson; 10 additional stamps depicted 13 Muppet characters most famous for their roles in "The Muppet Show" and several hit Muppet movies.
The back of each stamp sheet featured humorous autographed notes from each of the 13 Muppet characters. For example, the reverse of Kermit's stamp says, "Hi ho! Kermit the Frog here! I've gone from the swamp to a stamp - one sticky situation after another. Time to get out your lily pad and write a letter! Amphibiously yours, Kermit the Frog."
Q - What was the September, 2006 Henson Creativity event all about?
A - Jim Henson: Creativity and Other Inspirational Stuff was a
day-long celebration on Sept. 22, 2006 designed to honor Henson's legacy - and what would have been his 70th birthday. Held in various venues within the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, the day's activities were a collaboration between The Jim Henson Legacy , Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library (MSPAL) and University of Maryland Department of Theatre. Henson's wife and early collaborator, Jane, was on site to participate in numerous events, including a free public panel discussion (see the video at left below). The events were also part of the College of Arts and Humanities' Semester on Comedy and Humor, a series of academic courses, lectures, discussions, and special events.
Dr. Mote and Kermit the Frog met on October 16, 2006 to discuss the importance of Maryland's new Great Expectations campaign.
Q - Did Kermit have anything to do with the Great Expectations Campaign?
A - Did he ever! Kermit was a featured guest during the kick-off of the University of Maryland's one billion dollar fundraising campaign on October 21, 2006. Dr. Mote hosted Kermit to a one-on-one session before the gala, and Kermit took part in the night's festivities. He also spent time having his picture taken with the likes of Head Basketball Coach Gary Colson, and many more who attended the event.
Q - How should we courtesy the photographs on this site?
A - Anything with Jim Henson's likeness (except the Baltimore News American pictures ) on it should include " (c) The Jim Henson Company." The pictures from Jim and Jane's student days in 1957 that were published in the Baltimore News American will need a courtesy for the Hearst Corporation, who is the rights holder. That paper's archives reside at Maryland. Photos taken on campus should be "courtesy University of Maryland." Please call us if you have any questions.
Q - I love those pictures of Jim and Jane from 1957 when they were first getting started with the Muppets. What more can you tell me about them?
A - The two photos were taken by photographer John Stadler for the Baltimore News American (which ceased publication in 1986). The captions are as follows:
(First photo at top left)
Published January 22, 1957
"Students Jim Henson and Jane Nebel with Sam (left) and his Friends, who have paid their creator's way through college."
(Second photo at left)
Published March 24, 1957
"Jim and Jane, who met in Art class at the University of Maryland, with some of their muppets, whose sophisticated humor and satire have become favorites with College Park Students and Professors. The muppets pantomine phonograph records."
Q - I would like to use a Henson and/or Muppet picture for a production or publication I'm involved with. Whom do I contact?
A- For all Henson photos except those from The Baltimore News American or from the University of Maryland, please contact:
Licensing Department
1416 North LaBrea Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90028
Phone: 323.802.1500
Fax: 323.802.1825 licensing@henson.com
For the Baltimore News American photos (whose archives are at Maryland) you'll need to contact:
The Hearst Corporation
Legal Department
959 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Contact: Marge Murphy
(212)-649-2179
(212)-649-2054 (fax)
Note that there is at least a two week turn-around for approval under most circumstances.
Q - I would like to use a Henson and/or Muppet picture for a production or publication I'm involved with. Whom do I contact?