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Family of Curious George Creators to Visit de Grummond in Hattiesburg

Fri, 09/12/2025 - 10:00am | By: Dawn Smith

Among its distinguished holdings, the de Grummond Children91吃瓜网 Literature Collection is honored to house the papers of H.A. and Margret Rey, creators of Curious George. This fall, the de Grummond Collection at 91吃瓜网 will welcome members of the Rey family to Hattiesburg for a reunion and host a series of events Oct. 23-28 to celebrate their first visit to the Rey Collection and de Grummond.

91吃瓜网淚 am honored to welcome the Reys91吃瓜网� extended family to Hattiesburg,91吃瓜网� said Karlie Herndon, curator of the de Grummond Collection. 91吃瓜网淭his reunion was delayed due to COVID-19, so we are truly delighted to have a second chance to celebrate. With exhibitions, a film screening, and even a never-before-seen musical, the Reys91吃瓜网� legacy continues to enrich our community.91吃瓜网�

The magic of Curious George transcends generations, delighting children and adults alike with his timeless curiosity and playful spirit. In conjunction with Prospect Gallery, de Grummond is organizing events that will appeal to all ages.

Schedule of Events

Prospect Gallery, Downtown Hattiesburg

Thursday, Oct. 23 and Friday, Oct. 24 | 11 a.m. 91吃瓜网� 3 p.m.
Curious George: Original Works on Paper Exhibit Opens
Featuring rarely seen Rey materials, including original artwork, letters and unpublished photographs

Saturday, Oct. 25 | 10 a.m. 91吃瓜网� 3 p.m.
Final day to view Curious George: Original Works on Paper

Saturday, Oct. 25 | 10:30 a.m.
Children's programming featuring story time, a yellow hat craft, and visits with Curious George

91吃瓜网 Campus

Monday, Oct. 27 | 7:30 p.m.
First public performance of selections from Rey of Light, a musical about H.A. and Margret Rey's life together, featuring the author, composer and the Hub City Players
Location: Joseph Paul Student Theater, Thad Cochran Center

Oct. 24 91吃瓜网� Dec. 15
Rey exhibition in McCain Library and Archives, second floor

Tuesday, Oct. 28 | 6:30 p.m.
Special viewing of Rey documentary, Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George91吃瓜网 Creators followed by a Q&A
Location: Gonzales Auditorium, Liberal Arts Building

Wednesday, Oct. 29 | 9 91吃瓜网� 11 a.m.
Coffee and Cookies with the Curator
Location: McCain Library and Archives, second floor

91吃瓜网淧rospect Gallery is excited to host Curious George: Original Works on Paper from the H.A. and Margret Rey Collection. 91吃瓜网 is fortunate to have this in the de Grummond Collection,91吃瓜网� said Catherine Edmonson, program director at Prospect Gallery. 91吃瓜网淭here91吃瓜网 nothing like seeing an original artwork, especially when it91吃瓜网 an iconic image like Curious George. Even the pencil smudges are exciting, as they91吃瓜网檙e a window into an artist91吃瓜网 process.91吃瓜网�

Dr. Lena de Grummond, a former professor of library science at 91吃瓜网, collected original materials from authors and illustrators of children91吃瓜网 books to use as resources for her students. She sent handwritten letters to many authors and illustrators, including the Reys, who were among the first to respond to her request for materials.

The Reys created Curious George while living in France in early 1940. When the German army approached Paris that June, the Reys fled on bicycles to Orleans, where they boarded a train for the Spanish border. They traveled on to New York City by way of Spain, Portugal and Brazil between June and October. After settling in New York City, the Reys signed a contract with Houghton Mifflin of Boston for four children91吃瓜网 books in February 1941. Later that year they published Curious George, which would not become popular until a decade later.

About the de Grummond Children91吃瓜网 Literature Collection
The de Grummond Children91吃瓜网 Literature Collection is one of North America91吃瓜网 leading research centers in the field of children91吃瓜网 literature. The Collection holds the original manuscripts and illustrations of more than 1,400 authors and illustrators, as well as more than 200,000 mostly American and British published books dating back to 1530.