Winnie the Pooh has finally found a new home in midtown…and I don’t think he pays rent.
Pooh and his friends recently moved into the main branch of the New York Public Library from their old home at the Donnell Library Center on West 53rd St. The previous case was bullet-proof, and I can only assume this one is as well.
Pooh and his friends were given as gifts by author A. A. Milne to his son Christopher Robin Milne between 1920 and 1922. Pooh was purchased in London at Harrods for Christopher’s first birthday. Christopher later gave them to publisher E. P. Dutton, who in turn donated them to the New York Public Library.
The dolls are here in the new Children’s Library, patches, rips, dirt, and all. If you were ever a kid, Winnie the Pooh should have a special place in your heart, and seeing the actual dolls is pretty moving. It’s amazing to think that so much came from such little creatures.
In 1998, British Member of Parliament Gwyneth Dunwoody visited the dolls and urged that they be returned to the Britain, saying she “detected sadness.” Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani then announced he had a discussion with Pooh, who apparently told him: “I want everyone in Britain and America to know that we’re very, very happy here in New York City.” Mike McCurry, spokesman for Bill Clinton later confirmed: “As the President indicated to some of us, the notion that the United States would lose Winnie is utterly unbearable.”
I can only give the New York Public Library the benefit of the doubt that they were anxious to get the characters out for the public to see as soon as possible, and that the room will be soon be properly decorated. I mean, seriously, look at where the case is:
Pretty dismal digs after living in the Hundred Acre Wood. Definitely go check them out at the new Children’s Library at the main branch of the NYPL on 42nd & 5th Ave. It’s free of course, making it one of the best deals in New York.
-SCOUT
[...] didn’t know this but according to ScoutingNY the original Winnie The Pooh stuffed animals used to be housed at the Donnell Library. But now that [...]
Where is the stuffed Christopher Robin? Glad to know where the gang hang- they do look forlorn and not at all happy.
I think it’s absolutely crucial and appropriate that the electrical outlet behind the case has been childproofed.
Thank you for sharing this. I have to admit it got me a little choked up to see the originals that inspired the wonderful stories that so enchanted me as a child, & still do @ 45.
Then I saw the awful way they were displayed. Unbelievable. I too hope the library plans on something better that befits such a precious gift.
we should decorate this space with a room mural to give these incredible dolls a fitting home. i’d volunteer my time and skill to do it.
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I think that a donation is a donation and they’ve lived in NY long enough to call it home.
Disney, however, will never be forgiven for what they did to Pooh & friends – the books have so much more wit and warmth than any McPooh that place could ever produce.
I think they look completley forlorn, no way would Christopher robin nor A.A.Milne want to see Pooh and friends in a box in an empty room. Bring them back to Britain, to the 100 acre wood where they belong. And give them their own 100 acre wood to sit in, even if still behind a box. As an avid Pooh fan I think it’s a disgrace.
They really should be returned to England, that display case is miserable, dreary, dull.
[...] | Tags: blog, cinema, New York, scout I was first sent a link to this blog for a story on the state and situation of the original Winnie the Pooh toys. And then I started poking around at some of the other stories, and realised what a great blog it [...]
Winnie the Pooh & Friends also had a brief stop at the Brooklyn Heights branch of the NY Library. The 2nd flr has various exhibits from other branches or museums in NYC. A few months back they had several toys and dolls from the 19th century to present day…with original packaging!
That’s so sad. I loved Winnie the Pooh (still do!) and will read the books to my son in a year or two, but every time I look at one of those wonderful Shepard illustrations I will now think of them sitting there, alone, unloved, untouchable and isolated; no adventures or expotitions, no hunny, haycorns, or pro-things to eat.
It’s like seeing the dull eyes of the tigers at the zoo, longing for the jungle.
I just discovered your blog, and I am in heaven… I saw Pooh and friends a few years ago when they were at the branch library. You have a keen eye for the magnificent in our magnificent city.
I love pooh I have been reading the originally stories to my son on and off for the last few years…he is 9 and one might think too old for pooh. But i do pooh with a English accent, I consider the fact he still allows me to read pooh to him a privilege. He loves the adventures, so nice to know the original pooh is still around. Thanks for sharing maybe i will have to make a journey to see him and his friend in NYC.
I’d like you all to know that 100 Acre Wood is real. Near Hartfield, East Sussex, UK is Cotchford Farm, where A. A. Milne wrote the Winnie the Pooh stories for his son, Christopher R. Milne. 100 Acre Wood is named for 500 Acre Wood, about a mile from the farm. The bridge where Pooh Sticks was played (and invented) is nearby (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poohsticks).
Hartfield and the Ashdown Forest are well worth a visit for any fans of Pooh and friends. And if the toys are ever liberated from New York, well, I hope they make it back to Hartfield, somehow…