Every year on September 24th, the campus and surrounding communities celebrate the life, legacy, and works by University of Maryland alumnus, Jim Henson '60 & '78.
Known for The Muppets, Sesame Street, The Dark Crystal, Fraggle Rock, and much more, Jim Henson laid the foundation for his future creations during his time as a student at UMD where he designed sets, programs, and posters for student theater productions.
When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in the world. My hope is to leave the world a little better for having been here.
Jim Henson '60
Henson Fund for Puppetry
The School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies hosts an annual competition and recipients are awarded funds to create a puppet project or performance. The Jim Henson Fund for Puppetry was established by Jane Henson '55 to honor the memory of Jim Henson '60 & '78, creator of the world famous Muppets.
Silk Screen Posters
Jim ran a silk screen printing business out of the Stamp Student Union.
Jim and Jane Henson
Jim took a puppetry course where he met his first performing partner and future wife, Jane Nebel '55.
Sam & Friends
Jim and Jane developed and performed a daily five-minute show with puppets on local Washington, D.C. airwaves, WRC-TV, called Sam and Friends.
The Jim Henson video collection
In January 2005, The Jane Henson Foundation and The Jim Henson Legacy generously donated videos and funding to support the creation of the Jim Henson video collection at the University of Maryland (previously known as The Jim Henson Works).
Use Henson Day to…
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Collaborate/sponsor research projects
The University provides a wide range of research opportunities into Henson's work and puppetry in the performing arts. It also hosts exhibits and websites, develops interactive interpretive content, and takes part in celebrations of Jim Henson's life. One such is resource is the Jim Henson video collection, which is available to UMD’s community of students, scholars, and visitors 68 digital videos spanning 35 years of Henson’s groundbreaking work in television and film. These full-length videos are available for viewing at public computer stations within the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library, McKeldin Library, and Hornbake Library.
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Find innovation events
Find the latest innovation and entrepreneurship events including the celebration of the annual Henson Day at UMD's Campus Calendar.