LATROBE, PA – The Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College has unveiled a new online exhibit entitled “Fred Unboxed,” a collection of materials from the Center’s vast archival collection that explores the many ways Rogers cared for children and families.
Made possible in part by a grant from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, the online exhibit, located at https://unboxed.fredrogerscenter.org, draws from more than 22,000 items housed in the Fred Rogers Archive, including video clips, interviews, promotional materials and scripts from the eponymous “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” interviews of Rogers’ friends and colleagues, behind-the-scenes photography, handwritten drafts of some of Rogers’ most famous songs and other assorted documents.
The exhibit covers a variety of topics that Rogers felt were paramount for early childhood learning, including anger, communication, education/learning, family, helping behavior, imagination/fantasy, individuality/identity, love, music and play.
“The idea for ‘Fred Unboxed’ was inspired by the way that researchers explore the Archive,” said Emily Uhrin, Rogers Center senior archivist. “When researchers come here, they tell me the subject they are interested in and then they can find the documents that fall under that heading. With the ‘Fred Unboxed’ website, visitors will be able to click on different subjects and see a selection of items that fall under that subject heading.”
Uhrin stated that work began on the project in April 2018 and that it will continue to evolve over time.
“Items will be added as we continue to work our way through the collection,” she said, “and new subjects and themes may be added. We have a lot of flexibility with the site.”
For more information on “Fred Unboxed,” contact info@fredrogerscenter.org.
Established at Saint Vincent College in 2003 in his hometown of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media supports and enriches the important work of those who help children learn and grow across multiple disciplines, including early learning, education, communication, health, media and more. By focusing on strengthening human relationships and promoting meaningful uses of technology and media, the Center supports the current practice and ongoing development of child-serving professionals; expands educational opportunities for undergraduate students; and collaborates in public service and applied research with educational institutions and community organizations.
The Center is the official home of the Fred Rogers Archive as well as a straightforward, understanding and compassionate voice for the healthy social and emotional development of children birth to age 8 (www.fredrogerscenter.org).
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