The state of Mister Rogers was installed at Rollins College in Florida, where puppets and adoring children surround the legend for a joyous tribute to the TV host, who graduated from Rollins 70 years ago.
Dressed in his iconic cardigan and sneakers, the not-to-scale bronze tribute bears a smile while holding his Daniel Tiger puppet in the center of a group of infatuated children.
British artist Paul Day named the sculpture “A Beautiful Day for a Neighbor,” and it includes lyrics from the series’ theme song coupled with famous characters and the Trolley that connected Mister Rogers’ show-based home to the world of magic and make-believe. “My hope is that this piece will bring joy and inspiration to many people, just as Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood did for generations,” said Day in a statement sent to NPR. The backdrop of the sculpture has the famous castle and royal characters featured in the show.
Before becoming the man we all know as Mister Rogers, Fred McFeely Rogers graduated with distinction from Rollins back in 1951. “He met his future wife at Rollins, Sara Joanne Byrd Rogers, for whom the puppet character Queen Sara Saturday is named,” said the Florida College.
Rogers’ son John was hosted by the university for the unveiling on Thursday. “Very, very special – as Dad would say,” said John after the statue was put on display to the public.
Mister Rogers was very active on the Rollins campus, having been “president of his Fraternity, chairman of the Inter-Faith and Race Relations Committee, president of the French Club, [and] member of the Chapel and Bach choirs,” said the school. “He also performed in several theatre productions and was an intramural swimmer.” It’s safe to say the man was remarkable from start to finish. A well-deserved tribute and forever a place in our hearts.