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Historical Society Exhibition Features Henson Family

henson-family
Jim and Jane Henson with their children in front of their home on Round Hill Road in Greenwich, 1970. Left to right: Jane, Lisa, Cheryl, Kermit the Frog, Jim, John and Brian. Heather would arrive that December. Photo by Juliet Newman.

On April 5, the Greenwich Historical Society will answer the question, “Who are the people in your neighborhood?” with a resounding: “The Hensons!” With the opening of “Jim and Jane Henson: Creative Work, Creative Play” at the Storehouse Gallery, the Historical Society sets out to explore the Hensons’ Greenwich years, during which the pair’s creative energy set the backdrop for both work and family life as they laid the foundations for what would result in a global entertainment phenomenon.

Jim (1936-1990) and Jane (1934-2013) Henson, best known as creators of The Muppets, made Greenwich their home from 1964 until 1971. The family grew to include five children, six cats, a couple of dogs, various other animals (real) and more than a few monsters (imaginary). Life at their historic home on Round Hill Road was infused with imagination and artistic expression, reflecting the Hensons’ playful and inventive approach to parenting and their work as artists and performers.

Believing that art should be central to education, Jim and Jane were enthusiastic local participants in the founding of The Mead School in 1969, where art became a core part of the curriculum. More broadly, their intense interest in television’s educational possibilities led to their involvement in the iconic Sesame Street series, which premiered the same year. Drawing on their Muppet work and observations of their children at home, they made essential contributions to the show reflecting a deep understanding of the power of the medium as a tool for early childhood education.

The Hensons’ imagination and creativity, which they instilled in their five children, continue to inspire and educate new generations around the world.

A number of exhibition-related programs will be held, including a Story Barn (an evening of storytelling based on The Moth format) with the theme “Imagine That!” (April 28); an evening with Cheryl Henson (May 2); a screening of Jim Henson’s commercials and experiments led by Craig Shemin, former Henson staff writer and president of the Jim Henson Legacy (June 1); a history puppet slam and especially for kids, family programs involving puppetry on CT Open House Day (June 10) and at the Historical Society’s Fall Festival and Scarecrow competition (Oct. 8).

The Greenwich Historical Society is located at 39 Strickland Rd. Docent-led Curator’s Eye Tours are available on Wednesdays and Sundays at 12:15. To learn more, visit greenwichhistory.org or call 203-869-6899.

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