Exhibit Showcasing Jim Henson's Life's Work on Display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn

The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited is currently on display at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn through September 6, 2021. The traveling exhibit has been making the rounds across the nation and explores Jim Henson's amazing career that spanned four decades, contributing groundbreaking work to television and film and impacting American culture.

"It tells the story of Jim Henson and his career through the characters, the world, and the creative force behind him," says Melissa Foster, Senior Manager of Public Relations at the Henry Ford Museum. "The official title is the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, so we're always looking for traveling exhibits that highlight innovation and Jim Henson was an innovator. The imagination he had and the innovation behind creating these Muppets and these stories in an educational way, it's perfect for our museum."

Most can recall one point in their life when they've watched "Sesame Street" or "The Muppet Show," or even one of the nearly three dozen films based on Henson's puppet characters including "The Muppet Movie" and "The Dark Crystal." Henson's characters, including Kermit the Frog, Big Bird, and Oscar the Grouch, have become stable fixtures in American culture. Foster says the exhibit is for all ages and for adults, it can evoke a bit of nostalgia. "I'm a huge Henson fan. Just seeing the characters in person is really, really was awesome...I was in person with these characters that entertained me all through my childhood" she says. "You get to see the work the team had to do in order to bring these characters to life. Watching them do the Muppeteering is really crazy and cool because you get to appreciate it a little more; it wasn't just putting your hand into a puppet and talking, it was labor intensive."

The exhibit features more than 100 original artifacts including 25 puppets, character sketches, costumes, photographs, film and television clips, and interactive puppeteering experiences. Foster says the exhibit can be a warm, welcoming one to a population that has been through a fairly rough period these past two years. "I think the Muppets do offer some sort of comfort food; they highlight stories of diversity, that being different is okay, that having a different opinion is okay and I think that's a great reminder for where we are as a country," she says. "Jim Henson created these characters that love each other, they live in a world where they are a community that shares and works together to be a better community, and I think that's a good reminder for all of us."

The exhibit is free for members of The Henry Ford. General admission to the museum for non-members is $25, senior admission age 62+ is $22.50, and admission for youth aged 5 to 11 is $18.75. Children 4 and under are free.

"I think it comes at a perfect time because people are getting vaccinated and they're feeling more comfortable...I think people are looking for ways to get out and do things with their family in a safe way, they're ready to go back out into the world to explore and this exhibit is a great way to do something with your entire family. It's a really great time to visit the museum especially for folks who haven't been since fourth or fifth grade on a field trip; we've done some changes," says Foster, adding that the exhibit has been well received by visitors to the museum.

The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is located at 20900 Oakwood Blvd. in Dearborn. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the museum or online at http://www.thehenryford.org