Parents and their children took a walk through the colorful and magical world of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood on Tuesday for the first time at Kidzu Children's Museum on Franklin Street. The Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood exhibit, based on the set of the children's television show, will be open to the public until the end of April. The exhibit includes life-size versions of King Friday's castle, the show's iconic trolley and a stoplight and a fish tank resembling those in Mr. Rogers' living room. "We really thought that Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood was perfect for us because it's built on childhood education," said Tina Clossick, the museum's director of operations and programing. Sarah Bergmann, of Chapel Hill, visited the exhibit with her son, Leo, who is almost 3 years old. She said they didn't come to the museum specifically for the exhibit, but Leo was having fun. Leo had never seen the television show before, but his mom said she watched it as a child. "I loved it," she said. "I'm surprised they still show it." The final new show aired in 2001, ending Fred Rogers' 34 years on the job. Leo said he liked watching clips from the show on a television in the exhibit. "When you press the buttons the people say happy birthday to Mr. Rogers," he said. Emma Lawrence, a volunteer at Kidzu, said the exhbit's piano that plays songs from the show is a hit. "The kids always love anything with music," she said. Clossick said the exhibit has been getting positive feedback. "It's really great for different ages," she said. The exhibit came from the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh and will run to the end of April. Clossick said many parents like the nostalgia the exhibit evokes. "It's exciting to be able to experience things from your own childhood and to bring it to your own children," she said. Clossick also said she plans to have local police officers and firefighters come and talk to the children. "It's getting the kids oriented to the idea that we are all neighbors, and we should know who each other are and what's going on." Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
