Playful and Interactive Exhibition Celebrates the Magical World of Winnie-the-Pooh and His Friends at MFA Boston

BOSTON (August 22, 2018)—The beloved teddy bear at the center of Winnie-the-Pooh, first published in 1926 and translated into more than 50 languages, is one of the most famous children’s book characters of all time. The playful and multi-sensory exhibition Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic, presented at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), from September 22, 2018 through January 6, 2019, traces the history and universal appeal of the classic stories written by A. A. Milne (1882–1956) and illustrated by E. H. Shepard (1879–1976). Nearly 200 works on view are drawn from the archives of the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), The Walt Disney Company, Egmont Publishing, the Shepard Trust, the University of Surrey and private collections. Original drawings, proofs and early editions, letters, photographs, cartoons, ceramics and fashion take visitors of all ages on a journey exploring how the stories of Pooh and his friends Eeyore, Kanga and Roo, Owl, Piglet, Rabbit, Tigger and Christopher Robin have stood the test of time and continue to resonate with readers around the world. Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic is on view in the Lois B. and Michael K. Torf Gallery. Exhibition organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. “Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic” is sponsored by Hood Milk. Additional support provided by the Patricia B. Jacoby Exhibition Fund and the MFA Associates / MFA Senior Associates Exhibition Endowment Fund.

Due to limited capacity and popular demand, timed-entry tickets are required for everyone visiting the exhibition—adults, youth (ages 7–17) and children (age 6 and under), members and nonmember visitors alike—in order to ensure the best possible experience for all. MFA members are the first to see the exhibition during Member Preview (September 16–21), and early-entry weekend hours (9–11 am) for members will take place every Saturday and Sunday from September 22 through January 6. A limited supply of free exhibition tickets will be available on site every Wednesday night after 4 pm and during the Fall Open House (October 8). The public opening day on Saturday, September 22, features a celebration (10 am–3 pm) on the MFA’s Huntington Avenue lawn, with family-friendly activities, as well as free milk and cookies from exhibition sponsor Hood Milk.

“This exhibition is a wonderful combination of the ‘real’ and the ‘imagined,’ and I hope it helps every visitor re-connect with the original stories—true classics that are worthy of re-visiting,” said Meghan Melvin, Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Curator of Design.

Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic reveals the real people, relationships and inspirations behind the charismatic bear and his world, representing friendship, simple joys and the curious, yet gentle nature of a child’s imagination. The exhibition explores the thrilling interplay between text and illustration, shedding new light on the creative collaboration between Milne and Shepard. Children and adults are invited to explore set pieces inspired by Shepard’s art and enjoy video and audio, including a 1929 recording of Milne reading Winnie-the-Pooh. In addition to a slide and foot bridge for families to play on, children can go inside Pooh’s home and the childhood bedroom of Milne’s son Christopher—the primary inspiration for Christopher Robin. Young visitors are also encouraged to explore their own creativity, with various spaces to play games, draw and read in the gallery.

Highlights of the works on view in Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic include:

• Shepard’s first Winnie-the-Pooh character portraits, drawn to resemble Christopher Milne’s real toys, and original sketches of the Hundred Acre Wood
• More than 80 of Shepard’s original pencil/pen-and-ink drawings for the four Winnie-the-Pooh books, including some of the best-known illustrations
• Replicas of Christopher Milne’s stuffed animals
• Memorabilia from 90 years of Winnie-the-Pooh history, including plush toys from about 1930, a Winnie-the-Pooh Lego set and a print from the Winnie-the-Pooh satire Wookie the Chew
• A handwritten 1926 letter from Milne to Shepard and photographs of the Milne family

To enhance their weekend visits, families can stop by the Family Art Cart, where kids can choose from an array of self-guided educational activities, borrow a tote bag with a sketchbook and colored pencils, and check out a storybook to take with them on their Museum journey. Set up in the Shapiro Family Courtyard from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, the Family Art Cart will offer Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner as part of its library selections throughout the run of the exhibition, on a first-come, first-served basis.

After seeing the exhibition, visitors can stop by the MFA Shop to pick up a souvenir of their experience—from one-of-a-kind handbags made using old Winnie-the-Pooh books and plush toys of the beloved characters to honey-based personal care products and beehive-inspired ceramics by a local artist.

Ticket Information

A timed-entry ticket is required for everyone—including free tickets for members, youth and children—to enter the exhibition. Tickets to Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic provide entry to the exhibition within a specific entry time slot plus all-day access to all other galleries and special exhibitions. Tickets will be sold in 30-minute blocks for entry on the hour and half hour. Visitors may enter the exhibition within the 30-minute entry time slot and explore the gallery at their own pace once inside. Admission to Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic is free on Wednesday nights after 4 pm throughout the run of the exhibition, as well as during the Fall Open House (Monday, October 8). A limited supply of free exhibition tickets will be available on site only, same day, pending availability. Tickets for these dates will not be sold in advance.

Member Benefits

Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic is open to MFA members only during Member Preview (September 16–21). Members should book in advance and may reserve an allotted number of free adult and youth/child tickets according to their membership level. Early-entry weekend hours for members will take place every Saturday and Sunday, 9–11 am (with limited exceptions) throughout the run of the exhibition. Members should book in advance and may reserve an allotted number of free adult and youth/child tickets according to their membership level. Members will also have access to free timed-entry exhibition tickets on Member Night (October 28). Tickets will be limited and on a first-come, first-served basis; they will not be sold in advance.

Hood Milk Family Activities

As the sponsor of Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic, Hood Milk invites MFA visitors to celebrate the exhibition’s public opening on September 22, with giveaways and family-friendly activities taking place inside and outside the Museum. Free milk, cookies, giveaways and Hoodsies will be offered on the Huntington Avenue lawn, where families can also play milk bottle ring toss, giant Jenga and corn hole, as well as get their photos taken inside a Hood-themed photo booth. Inside the Museum, visitors can create and draw their own fictional storybook characters, make their own animal ears, and enjoy story hour.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), is recognized for the quality and scope of its collection, representing all cultures and time periods. The Museum has more than 140 galleries displaying its encyclopedic collection, which includes Art of the Americas; Art of Europe; Contemporary Art; Art of Asia; Art of Africa and Oceania; Art of Ancient Greece and Rome; Art of Ancient Egypt, Nubia and the Near East; Prints and Drawings; Photography; Textile and Fashion Arts; and Musical Instruments. Open seven days a week, the MFA’s hours are Saturday through Tuesday, 10 am–5 pm; and Wednesday through Friday, 10 am–10 pm. Admission (which includes one repeat visit within 10 days) is $25 for adults and $23 for seniors and students age 18 and older, and includes entry to all galleries and special exhibitions. Admission is free for University Members and youths age 17 and younger. Wednesday nights after 4 pm admission is by voluntary contribution (suggested donation $25), while five Open Houses offer the opportunity to visit the Museum for free. The Museum’s mobile MFA Guide is available at ticket desks and the Sharf Visitor Center for $5, members; $6, non-members; and $4, youths. The Museum is closed on New Year’s Day, Patriots’ Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The MFA is located on the Avenue of the Arts at 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115. For more information, call 617.267.9300, visit mfa.org or follow the MFA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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