An adorable (and free!) Muppets exhibit will take over the Museum of the Moving Image this weekend

Not since The Muppets Take Manhattan have we been this excited about a puppetorial release! On Saturday June 21, the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria will reveal newly restored puppets from the beloved franchise (unseen for decades!), plus host tons of family-friendly activities during “Muppet Babies Take MoMI,” a fanatical Muppets celebration.

The weekend-long Muppet takeover spotlights baby Kermit the Frog, baby Gonzo, and baby Rowlf—who debuted on screen in The Muppets Take Manhattan—during their first public appearance in many, many years. Venture through the 15,500-square-foot public space to take part in hands-on workshops to craft paper-bag puppets and turn yourself into a Muppet; dance in the courtyard to live music by John Koozin and the Neighborhood; pose questions during a panel discussion with restoration experts and puppet builders from Jim Henson’s Creative Shop; and, of course, screen that 1984 quintessential Muppets flick in the grand Redstone Theater. 

With support from Bank of America, MoMI restored ten puppets from its extensive collection of Jim Henson artifacts, including Camilla the Chicken (The Muppet Show, 1976–1981) and other rare puppets made for TV commercials and variety show appearances in the early '60s. Those will be on display in the lobby as part of the museum’s “Open Worlds” initiative, which invites the public to use its first-floor spaces as a free, accessible, WiFi-enabled community resource. 

“We’re delighted to present these historic puppets to the public during this fun weekend, and to share the story of MoMI’s ongoing collaboration with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop,” Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs Barbara Miller said in a statement. 

During the restoration process, the puppets were cleaned, given mounts to prepare for presentation, and reinforced with new foam to ensure they remain stable. None of these puppets have been in the public eye for decades; and in total, The Jim Henson Exhibition (ticketing required) boasts 50 puppets spanning the television legend’s career. 

Here’s the full schedule of free events this weekend: 

“Muppet Babies Take MoMI presented by Bank of America”

Saturday, June 21

1:00–5:00 p.m. “Choose Your Own Adventure” hands-on workshops

• Draw Yourself as a Baby Muppet: Kids can contribute their own Muppet Babies drawing to be displayed in the Museum’s classroom space
• Paper Bag / Plate Muppets: DIY puppet-making workshop
• Green Screen Station: Bring your puppet to life in front of camera with an imaginative setting created using (green) screen. Led by MoMI Puppeteer in Residence Brian T. Carson.

1:00 p.m. Screening: The Muppets Take Manhattan (ticket required)

3:00–5:00 p.m. Live music by John Koozin and the Neighborhood in the Kaufman Courtyard

Sunday, June 22

1:00 p.m. Screening: The Muppets Take Manhattan (ticket required)

3:30 p.m. Jim Henson's Creature Shop Panel Discussion
Jason Weber, Creative Supervisor, along with two other puppet builders from Jim Henson's Creature Shop, in conversation with MoMI Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs Barbara Miller, discussing the process of puppet building and conservation.