The Fred Rogers Collection
'51 '74H (1928 - 2003)

Date(s): 1949 - 2007

Extent: 2.5 linear feet; 4 boxes

Access: Open access except one folder

Language: English

Copyright Statement: The status of copyright on the materials of the Fred Rogers Collection is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).

Preferred Citation: Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: container number, the Fred Rogers Collection, Archives and Special Collections, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida.

Biographical Note:

Fred McFeely Rogers was born on March 20, 1928 in Latrobe, PA. He graduated from Rollins College with a B.A. in Music in 1951, and University of Pittsburgh, B.A. in Divinity in 1962. Fred Rogers began working for NBC in New York as an assistant producer / floor director in 1951. In 1953 he moved to public television in Pittsburgh as program manager and began producing a children’s show, Children’s Corner. In 1963 he began producing and hosting a daily 15-minute show, MisterRogers, for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He expanded the show to a half hour in 1964 for an ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh. Eastern Education Network purchased the show for regional broadcasting in 1966, renamed it Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and the show went national on PBS in 1968. From 1970 until his death in 2003, Rogers was president of Family Communications, Inc., which produces books, cassettes, and videotapes.

Rogers’ work has been widely acclaimed: Children’s Corner won a 1955 Sylvania Award, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood received an Emmy nomination in 1967 and won a Peabody Award in 1969. Rogers was also recognized by his alma mater, including: Outstanding Rollins Alumnus of 1970, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 1974, and Walk of Fame in 1991. He married Joanne Byrd, also a Rollins College Alumnus (’50 ’05H), in 1952. They had two children, Jim and John. Fred Rogers died on February 27, 2003 from stomach cancer.

Publications:

Songs from the Neighborhood [sound recording]: the music of Mr. Rogers

(DVD M1990.R64 2005)

Life’s Journeys according to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember

(BJ1581.2. R633 2005)

The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember

(BJ1581.2. R635 2003)

You Are Special: Words of Wisdom from America’s Most Beloved Neighbor

(BF697 .5 .S46 R64 1994)

Mister Rogers Talks with Parents

(HQ755.8 .R63 1983)

SCOPE AND CONTENTS:

The collection contains clippings and memorabilia from the career of Fred McFeely Rogers in children’s programming and his association with his alma mater, Rollins College.

SERIES DESCRIPTION: Rogers, Fred McFeely, 150 E

The material in the Collection dates from the 1950s to the 2000s.

Series 1. Fred Rogers and Rollins College

2. Magazines and Newspaper Clippings about Fred Rogers

3. Audio-visual Materials about Fred Rogers

4. Joanne Rogers, ’50 ’05H

5. Memorabilia of Fred Rogers

For related records see also:

President Seymour’s Files, 1978-1988 (88.11.1) Correspondence

Rogers, Sara Joanne (Byrd), 150 E

Sandspur Vol. 53 No.11 Feb. 3, 1949 Photo with Fred Rogers

Vol. 53 No.13 Feb. 17, 1949

Vol. 54 No.14 Feb. 9, 1950 Photo

Rollins College Photographic Collection, and Rollins Digital Archives:

Portrait of Mr. Rogers
Class of 1951 Award Winners
Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood
Fred Rogers and Walk of Fame Stone
Mr. Rogers and President Bornstein
Mr. Fred Rogers' Sweater and Sneakers

Inventory

Series	Box	Folder	Contents
1. Fred Rogers and Rollins College	1 of 4	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9	Finding Aids Biographical Material Correspondence Association with Rollins College James H. Rogers (Father) Nancy Elaine Rogers (Sister) Rollins Honors Program at the Knowles Memorial Chapel Letters by Fred Rogers (confidential)
2. Magazines and Newspaper Clippings about Fred Rogers	1 of 4	1 2 3 4 5 6	Magazine and Newspaper Clippings Grand Marshal - Rose Parade Memorial Orlando Science Center Exhibit “A Traveling Neighborhood” Talking with Young Children about Death: a Message from Fred Rogers (of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood)
3. Audiovisual Materials about Fred Rogers	2 of 4		“Music Makes a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” (“You’re Growing” and “Bedtime”) Mr. Rogers: “Lifetime Achievement Award” Fred Rogers’ Farewell Fred Rogers’ Heroes, 9/6/94 Fred Rogers, ’51: Emmy Award/Lifetime Achievement, May 21, 1997 (ABC TV) Fred Rogers Interview / CNN & Time (August 8, 1999) Clip Reel: Rollins College Speech (March 22, 2001) “Neighbors in the Wings” Fred Rogers: Knowles Memorial Chapel, Rollins College March 25, 2001 Fred Rogers: Rollins College Raw Footage 3/25/01 150E Rogers, Fred: Grand Marshal -- Rose Parade 2003 New Years Celebration Mr. Rogers Remembered (2/27/03) Memorial Service for Mr. Rogers (3/28/03)
4. Joanne Rogers, ’50 ’05H	3 of 4	1	Rogers, Sara Joanne (Byrd) - Mrs. Fred Rogers Recording: Feb.12, 1983, John Reardon -Baritone, Joanne Byrd Rogers - Piano Recording: Reardon Concert Reel #2 Recording: Reardon Concert Reel #3 Recording: Reardon Concert Reel #4 Recording: John Reardon - Baritone, Joanne Byrd Rogers - Piano. Feb. 12, 1983, “The American Musical Theatre” -- 2 track
5. Memorabilia of Fred Rogers	4 of 4	1 2 3	2007 Report of Appraisal Blue Sweater, Hand Knit and Fashioned by Nancy Flagg, Mother of Fred Rogers Tennis Shoes, the navy blue canvas sneakers “Topsiders” carry the manufacturer's name “Spenco Foot Care Products” on the interior soles, and the sides of the soles were inscribed by Mr. Rogers in blue pen: the right sneaker – “These sneakers helped to make many ‘Mister Rogers Neighborhood’ television visits - Fred Rogers,” the left sneaker – “Fred Rogers Rollins ’51.”