Sharing Treasures from the Jim Henson Company Archives
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Reprint: Business Archive Section Newsletter, 1998 From Preservation to Preservation: Sharing Treasures from the Jim Henson Company Archives By Karen Falk, Archivist, The Jim Henson Company Upon joining The Jim Henson share these treasures with the rest Henson family had lived in Company in 1992 as the first full- of the company and the public. In Greenwich from 1964-1971, so it time archivist, my priorities were particular, I found a large group of was decided that the exhibit would clear. There was a small but Jim Henson’s files from the 1960s focus on Jim’s work during that fascinating collection that had concerning his little-known pre- period. I was delighted ø those been gathered during the 1980s by Sesame Street projects. These were exactly the years covered by one of Jim Henson’s colleagues files held a wealth of information my newly discovered files. Working and then augmented by the efforts as well as wonderful character with Leslee Asch, director of the of an enthusiastic Public Relations designs and commercial company’s Exhibits department, intern. These materials needed storyboards. Some of this material we created a multimedia exhibit organizing, cataloging and re- was included in Christopher that combined puppets, housing into archival materials. Finch’s 1993 book, Jim Henson: photography, historical documents, While these items were important The Works, but there was so much video and original art. Visitors were and historically valuable, much more to say and show. I had able to see Jim’s original designs more was needed to complete the always been interested in curating for Big Bird and Rowlf the Dog, historical documentation of the exhibits, but the company had a read an editing script from one of company. An aggressive search separate exhibits department that, his experimental films, and view for additional materials was in up until that time, did not generally commercials for LaChoy Chow order and was begun immediately. collaborate with the archives. The Mein. It was the first time one of I was also eager to implement a opportunity to begin presenting our exhibits addressed this area of computer database system to materials from our collections Jim’s work, and it was a great make the collections more came with the establishment of success. I was eager to find more accessible. And, finally, I needed The Jim Henson Legacy. opportunities to display materials to press the administration for a from the archives. reasonable space to house the The Jim Henson Legacy, a not-for- archives as they were, at that profit foundation dedicated to When the Legacy board expressed point, stored in four different perpetuating and celebrating the interest in doing something locations on two floors. work of Jim Henson, was created historical about Jim during the by Jane Henson (Jim’s widow) in 1994 International Festival of With the help of an assistant who response to the overwhelming Puppet Theater (sponsored by The was added to the department the interest from both the public and Henson Foundation which following year, I was able to private sector to acknowledge supports puppetry companies), I accomplish many of my goals. The Jim’s work with awards and suggested a display concerning archives was up and running, honors. The Legacy, whose board Jim’s involvement in puppetry providing reference services to is made up of Jim’s friends, organizations. Using photographs much of the company, particularly colleagues and family members, and information gleaned from the the Public Relations department. has provided representation and archives, we were able to We were well on our way to supporting materials for numerous demonstrate Jim’s commitment to creating a historical record of the awards ceremonies, and it has and love of the field of puppetry. work of Jim Henson and his organized and sponsored many The display was complemented by creative team. film, video and slide presentations, video screenings of Jim Henson as well as historical exhibitions. Presents The World of Puppetry, a As I cataloged the existing Most of these events occur at documentary series he had materials and the newly found museums, libraries and on college produced celebrating six files, I was excited by what I saw campuses. internationally acclaimed and read. The information was puppeteers. After the festival, I fascinating and little known by In late 1993, the Legacy board was continued my efforts to find ways Muppet fans, and the artwork was approached by the Greenwich to exhibit materials from the delightful. I became more and (CT) Public Library about creating archives. more interested in finding a way to an exhibit for their gallery. The 1 Reprint: Business Archive Section Newsletter, 1998 Jim was a wonderful artist, and his curators of the National Museum of drawings and designs are American History in Washington enchanting. Though created to be on a Jim Henson/Muppet transformed into three dimensions, retrospective to open at the his sketches easily stand on their Smithsonian in 1999. Along with own as finished work. From the our continued work to preserve time I began working with his and document the work of Jim artwork, I wanted to find a way to Henson and his company, we now share it with the public. I often have the opportunity to present discussed this with Jane Henson, materials from our archival and I expressed my desire to put collections to a national audience. together a simple show emphasizing Jim’s artistic abilities Coupled with the archives’ with the pencil. In 1996, the contributions to The Jim Henson Legacy agreed to sponsor such a Company’s newly launched show. The company was very website ( www.henson.com ), these supportive, and they allowed me to exhibits have proven to be devote several months to the successful venues for sharing Jim project. In April of that year, Jim Henson’s creations. They also help Henson: Designs & Doodles The Jim Henson Legacy achieve opened at the National Arts Club in its goals while providing good New York. Including art ranging exposure and public relations for from Jim’s high school days to the company. In the end, by about 1980, the exhibit received a adding exhibits to the archives’ list positive response from both the of priorities, we have strengthened press and the public, and also from our position, gaining recognition, those who knew and worked with support and respect from within Jim. I was gratified to hear from and outside the company. many of his close colleagues that Jim’s sketches were a revelation to For further information about The them, showing a side of the man Jim Henson Company Archives, that they had not known. please contact us at: With the success of Designs & 117 East 69th Street Doodles, the archives’ contributing New York, NY 10011 to the Exhibits department Phone: 212-794-2400 corporate exhibits has become Fax: 212 -570-1147 automatic, and we have had more [email protected] opportunities to do our own. A large part of Designs & Doodles was shown at the University of Maryland (Jim’s alma mater) as part of a larger exhibit. At the same time, we produced a small show on Jim’s involvement in the development of Sesame Street with the National Public Broadcasting Archives (also at Maryland and housing the Archives of Children’s Television Workshop). The Legacy also has plans to tour Designs & Doodles. But the best is yet to come. We are currently collaborating with the Exhibits department and the 2 .