Mister Rogers' Neighborhood comes to life in communities across the country

MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD extends beyond television through a variety of initiatives that reflect the philosophy of Fred Rogers. Each project is uniquely designed to make the basic principles of the program come to life in ways that young children and their families can see, experience, and understand.

Exhibits and More

MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD: A Hands-On Exhibit Over one million people in dozens of communities nationwide have visited MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD: A Hands-On Exhibit to explore, imagine and create inside a replica of the program's television house and Neighborhood of Make-Believe.

The traveling exhibit, developed in partnership with the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, helps visitors understand the importance of caring adults and the role of play in children's lives. A second museum exhibit, How People MakeThings, inspired by  the popular factory visit videos from MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD has been touring nation wide since September 2007.

MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD of Make-Believe At Idlewild Park in Lionier, PA , 30 miles east of Pittsburgh, children and families can take a ride on a real trolley to see the familiar puppets and places they know from MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD of Make-Believe. The ride has been part of the Park since 1990.

The Sky Above MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD Created in partnership with the Carnegie Science Center, "The Sky Above MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD," introduces a planetarium’s youngest visitors to the

wonders of the sky in a 20-minute 3D animation program presented at planetariums throughout the United States. (If you’re interested in the sky show, you can find more information at http://www.buhlplanetarium.org/)

Outreach and Workshops

Training workshops for early-childhood educators and trainers extend the core principles of MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD by supporting professionals in their important work with children. Through these popular and powerful workshops, early-childhood educators are continuing to learn from Fred Rogers about working effectively with young children. Visit Resources for Professionalsto see the wide variety of workshops available.

Staff Appearances

David Newell

David Newell, director of Public Relations for Family Communications, might be better known as Mr. McFeely, the Speedy Delivery man on MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD. David spends much of his time traveling around the country representing the Neighborhood and PBS. His visits bring a personal touch to what PBS children’s programming means

in every neighborhood around the country.

David's tireless effort, representing MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD and PBS—has taken him from Guam to Los Angeles, from Des Moines to Las Vegas. He’s been at Kids Clubs gatherings and station anniversaries, at Ready to Learn trainings and parades. He’s gone from symphony halls to the halls of local libraries, from the neighborhood mall to the halls of Congress.

If you’d like to talk with “Mr. McFeely” about arranging a visit to your station or community, you can reach David at the Family Communications office at  412-687-2990  x3107 or contact us by email.

Hedda Sharapan

Hedda Bluestone Sharapan, M.S., Director of Early Childhood Initiatives, combines her master’s degree in Child Development with more than 38 years of working with Fred Rogers. She’s highly sought after as a speaker, with years of experience presenting keynotes and workshops around the country for early-childhood professionals and parents. She fills her speeches with funny and touching stories from the fan

mail and behind the scenes, as well as treasured segments from the NEIGHBORHOOD programs. Her topics include: Helping children deal with angry feelings; Seeing the world through the eyes of a child; The social-emotional tools of education; Three-part harmony —children, parents, and staff; Strengthening the bond with parents and providers; Helping children with death and divorce; and any of the FCI workshops.

For further information, or to make arrangements for an appearance, you can contact Hedda at  412-687-2990  x3109 or contact us by email.

David or Hedda might be coming to your neighborhood. For a look at their upcoming schedules click here.