Video - Oral Histories

FRED ROGERS ORAL HISTORY PROJECT

This project of the Fred Rogers Center, funded by The Buhl Foundation of Pittsburgh, is compiling filmed interviews of 50 of Fred Rogers' colleagues, friends, and family. The video and transcripts of the interviews will be part of the Fred Rogers Archive being established at the Center.

The following are excerpts from four of the interviews. The interviewer is Jessica Wiederhorn of The Narrative Trust, New York.

Reverend Dr. William P. Barker, Presbyterian minister. Dr. Barker speaks of his close friendship with Fred as well as Fred's "ministry" of working with children and families. (duration 0:06:35)

Kirk Browning, former director at NBC, New York. Mr. Browning speaks of Fred's first television job as stage manager for NBC's musical programs and their shared appreciation for television's power as an "emotion medium." (duration 0:04:46)

Nancy Curry, Ph.D., professor of child development and child care. Dr. Curry speaks of her early work with Fred at the Arsenal Family and Children's Center, Pittsburgh, including their opportunities to interact as graduate students with noted child psychologists Erik Erikson and Margaret McFarland and pediatrician Benjamin Spock. (duration 0:05:56)

Elaine Lynch, administrative assistant and assistant secretary/treasurer, Family Communications, Inc. Ms. Lynch speaks of days on the set of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood when Fred would schedule visits with "special" children and their families. (duration 0:04:27)

**Note: Reproduction of this video material, or any other use of the content therein, in whole or in part, requires the prior written consent of the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media© at Saint Vincent College.**

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