One Year.

On this day -- Christmas Eve 2009 -- we mark the one-year anniversary of the Neighborhood Archive.

Twelve months and 200+ posts later, my sincere thanks go out to the readers of this blog -- specifically, those of you who contribute through your comments and emails. A very sincere thanks to those at Family Communications for allowing us to maintain this tribute to Fred Rogers and remember the impact he has had on the lives of so many people.

To all of you readers, I wish you happy holidays and look forward to sharing more about the life and legacy of Fred Rogers as the Neighborhood Archive turns the corner into 2010!

A New Name and (maybe) New Tour?

According to a recent article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Last month's open house that featured the Neighborhood of Make-Believe from "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" will be followed by a spring open house with the reconstruction of the interior of Rogers' home on the classic show, if the station can get funding for the event. More than 5,000 people toured the studio in one weekend for last month's open house, traveling from 71 cities, 10 states and four countries.

Also, in the same article:

Oakland-based Family Communications, Inc., the nonprofit company founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 to produce "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" and other projects, will rename itself The Fred Rogers Company in 2010.

Kevin Morrison, FCI chief operating officer, said the name change was a board of directors initiative to honor the company's founder.

"It's an extra tribute to Fred on top of the statue," he said, referring to a statue on Pittsburgh's North Shore that was unveiled this fall.

In addition, with the company actively pursuing the production of new television programs, including a pre-school show in development with PBS, it makes sense for the company to carry Rogers' name.

"If we're going to have this company putting new things on television that embody Fred's approach and his name would not be in the credits otherwise, it was important to a number of board members to say, 'This is who we are.' You immediately know when you have that name on there who you are."

To read this article in its entirety visit Post-Gazette.com.

A Christmas Visit From Mister Rogers [1977]

Thirty-two years ago, newspaper readers in the Chicagoland area would likely have a copy of this issue of TV Week in their possession.

To read this article, visit the Neighborhood Archive.

Episode 1261 [1973]

Original Air Date: February 19, 1973

  

For details on Episode 1261, visit the Neighborhood Archive.

Saved By the Bell [1990]

Catching up on some work this morning, I had the TV on in the background showing one of the many Saved By the Bell episodes we've all seen a thousand times before. This particular episode happened to be the one where Zack is put in charge of the school store and cashes in by creating a Girls of Bayside calendar (Model Students). In the early moments of the episode before Zack takes over, the store is run by three nerds with a merchandise selection similar to a garage sale down the street. Prominently displayed on the center table is none other than a picture of Mister Rogers himself.

When Slater picks up the picture, alarms sound and the school nerds make it very clear that the photo is not for sale...

Episode 1693 - Mad Feelings

Original Air Date: October 18, 1995

  

For details on Episode 1693, visit the Neighborhood Archive.

Idlewild Souvenir Bank

Busy times around here lately but hopefully this will tide you over a bit...

I came across this picture on Flickr quite some time ago and don't have many details on it. The image shows a ceramic bank featuring the Trolley and characters from the Neighborhood of Make-Beleive and indicates that it is a souvenir from Idlewild Park. I'm not sure if this is an older piece or if it is something relatively new. If anyone has any details on this bank, I'd definitely be interested in learning more.

Happy holidays, everyone! Back with more soon...

Episode 1692 - Mad Feelings

Original Air Date: October 17, 1995

  

For details on Episode 1692, visit the Neighborhood Archive.