Leland, Mississippi

Song of the Cloud Forest Muppets on display at the muesum

Although Greenville, Mississippi is the birthplace of Jim Henson, Leland, Mississippi is considered the birthplace of Kermit the Frog.

A special Jim Henson exhibit is housed in the Washington County Tourist Center/Leland Chamber of Commerce in Leland, Mississippi. The Exhibit was given by The Jim Henson Company as "a gift to the people of Leland." The Exhibit features a tableau honoring Kermit the Frog's birth on Deer Creek, photographs from the Henson Family Album, early Henson Co. Christmas Cards, letters from Jim, and a video center with many of Jim Henson's early works.

A separate room is filled with Muppet memorabilia - donated from the personal collections of many individuals.

The highlight of the exhibit is a replica of Kermit, donated to the Museum for permanent display. He is posed sitting on a log playing his banjo in the Mississippi swamp. Located in a large glass display case, it is the centerpiece of this small Museum.

A recent addition to the museum is a collection of the puppets from the Song of the Cloud Forest, which originally aired on the Jim Henson Hour in 1989. These puppets are on loan from The Jim Henson Legacy. Among the puppets on display are Milton and Ruth, among others.

The gift shop features many items featuring the Leland Mississippi logo with Kermit. A gigantic plush Kermit is also available to pose for pictures with you to remember the event.

On October 18, 2005, the United States Postal Service held a postmark ceremony for the Jim Henson and Muppets stamps. Cheryl Henson was in attendance to sign copies of her book It's Not Easy Bein' Green: And Other Things To Consider. They also dedicated the new Songs of the Cloud Forest display for the museum.

External Links

• Official Site
• Muppet Central's Exhibit Review