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All the United States Mississippi Leland Birthplace of Kermit the Frog
AO Edited

Birthplace of Kermit the Frog

A Muppet museum in small-town Mississippi honors the roots of Jim Henson's most beloved creation.

Leland, Mississippi

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Eric Grundhauser
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Birthplace of Kermit the Frog   Megan on Flickr
Birthplace of Kermit the Frog   Ayleen Gaspar on Flickr
Outside of museum June 2020   nataliebopp / Atlas Obscura User
Kermit the Frog contemplating greenness among Jim Henson memorabilia.   ianlefk / Atlas Obscura User
Museum Sign June 2020   nataliebopp / Atlas Obscura User
  SemiruralYeti / Atlas Obscura User
Outside of museum June 2020   nataliebopp / Atlas Obscura User
A letter from Jim Henson gently declining the offer to return to Leland.   ianlefk / Atlas Obscura User
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Born in 1936 in nearby Greenville, Mississippi, famed visionary and puppeteer Jim Henson grew up and played among the swamplands of Leland. The small-town has now proclaimed itself the birthplace of his most famous creation with a permanent exhibit devoted to the man and Kermit the frog.

The small museum holds puppets and memorabilia that honor Jim Henson's creation of Kermit the Frog. (You can also go a couple blocks West to Broad Street to see the Rainbow Connection Bridge and the historical marker.) As the story goes, Henson spent his childhood playing among the local flora and fauna (which included frogs) of Leland and eventually made acquaintances with his boyhood friend Kermit Scott, who it is said the character of Kermit the Frog is based on.

When the city of Leland established its small Muppet tribute they were actually given three original Muppet figures (Dr. Teeth, The Swedish Chef, and Chester the Rat) to display in addition to tomes full of Muppet facts and a collection of merchandise, dolls, and memorabilia. Unfortunately, the trio of puppets originally housed in the museum had to be returned to the Jim Henson Company, but an original Kermit the Frog puppet was later donated to the exhibit by Henson's wife Jane. 

The proud birthplace is still open for visitors to come and explore the roots of the amphibian showman and the city even features a permanent plaque marking Kermit's creation. Guests to the exhibit can even cuddle up to a giant stuffed Kermit for photos. There is also a small gift shop.

Related Tags

Puppets Museums And Collections Museums Frog

Know Before You Go

The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission into the museum is by donation. Also, don't forget to sign the visitors book!

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Added By

EricGrundhauser

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nay1134, nataliebopp, AtticusGrinch, janiec1988...

  • nay1134
  • nataliebopp
  • AtticusGrinch
  • janiec1988
  • SemiruralYeti
  • ianlefk

Published

July 9, 2013

Updated

June 2, 2023

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  • http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/6620
  • http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/reviews/exhibits/mupmuseum.shtml
Birthplace of Kermit the Frog
415 S Deer Creek Dr E
Leland, Mississippi, 38756
United States
33.400193, -90.890663
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Photo of Mississippi

Mississippi

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Stories 14

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Mississippi

Mississippi

United States

Places 65
Stories 14

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