Earlier this week I took advantage of one of my membership privileges at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and checked out the Members Preivew of their new exhibit, “Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring A Classic”. The exhibit features over 200 works mostly from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and has a variety of letters, original drawings, and photographs. This exhibit is UTTERLY charming, and I was glad to have a chance to see this early. I can’t wait to go back and see it again!
There’s a little bit of something for everyone in this show; you can see everything from examples of Pooh in Pop Culture to Ernest Shepard’s original drawing of the Map of the 100 Acre Wood.
There are photographs of the Milne family, including a particularly tender photo of a Christopher Milne with his teddy bear.
One of the most special items in the exhibit, in my opinion, is the recording of A.A. Milne reading an excerpt of Pooh and Piglet go hunting, and nearly catch a Woozle. It dates from 1929, and is the only known recording of Milne reading from his Winnie-the-Pooh books. To listen to the recording, you pick up the “telephone” installed on the wall and can sit in the comfortable window seat directly adjacent to enjoy this delightful piece of the exhibit.
There are areas of whimsy and fun that will appeal to children of all ages as well as the young at heart. Want to ring the bell at Pooh’s house? Go for it.
Pretend to throw Poohsticks at the Poohstick bridge? They’ve got you covered.
There’s a table for drawing, as well as comfy rugs and spots for reading, and my favorite, Christopher Robin’s stairs where he sits, “Halfway Down”.
There are Instagram-worthy photo-ops galore so don’t be afraid to live a little and let your inner child come out and play. (There’s even a small slide if you feel like you need some extra movement!)
I have to say this exhibit is full of heartwarming moments that make you harken back to childhood memories of frolic and play. Shepard’s images are so classic, so iconic…don’t be surprised to find yourself time and again standing in front of a drawing and saying “awwww…” It’s delightfully sweet!
Give yourself plenty of time to meander your way through this exhibit. I spent just about 90 minutes there and could have easily stayed longer. Because of the tickets’ timed entry (more on that below!) the crowds in the exhibit are kept to a minimum. There’s room to explore, to drink in and enjoy all the Winnie-the-Pooh magic.
Have I inspired you to visit? The MOST IMPORTANT THING to keep in mind when planning your visit is that entry to the exhibit is TIMED, and tickets are REQUIRED for entry. All the information you need on tickets can be found here: https://www.mfa.org/tickets/winnie-the-pooh/ticket-information
The MFA highly recommends purchasing your tickets in advance. (Are you a member? Members see the exhibit for free, but still need to reserve tickets.) When you purchase your ticket, it covers your admission to the Museum for the day as well as the ticket for your specific time window to see the Pooh exhibit.
Other things to note:
– Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while visiting the Museum.
– Strollers are permitted at the MFA,but due to the limited space and interactive nature of the exhibition, strollers will not be permitted in “Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic.”
– Photography is welcome and encouraged, but no flash photography is allowed.
This is a really fantastic exhibit, and one that’s worth taking the time to plan and purchase your tickets in advance. The MFA Signature Gift Shop, which is located across from the ticketing desks at the Huntington Avenue entrance, has the main collection of memorabilia and Pooh related gifts. If you’re looking for the Catalog from the show, you’ll have to head to the Signature Gift Shop. (It’s $39.95, members price is $35.95!)
And for my environmentally minded friends, the large blue balloons in the hallway outside of the Torf Gallery where the exhibit lives are made of fiberglas, and are not floating helium balloons. They are an art installation that hangs from the ceiling.
Looking for more info on Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic? Visit the exhibit’s page: https://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/winnie-the-pooh
If you aren’t a member, now may be a great time to consider membership at the MFA. In addition to seeing special exhibits like this one for free, members get discounts on parking, dining, and the gift shop. It’s easy to become a member! https://www.mfa.org/membership I love being a MFA member especially when it comes to seeing exhibits during the Member Preview week!