It’s time to return to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.
The Postal Service will release its eagerly awaited Mister Rogers stamp Friday, March 23.
The stamp will honor Fred Rogers (1928-2003) and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” the groundbreaking public television series that is credited with inspiring and educating generations of young viewers.
Rogers hosted the innovative series, which aired nationally on public television from 1968-2001. The show combined music, puppets and educational visits to farms, factories, museums and other locations.
Each episode began with Rogers welcoming the audience into his TV “home.” While singing “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”, he put on one of his signature cardigan sweaters, changed into sneakers and began a conversation with his young viewers.
Rogers discussed many of the experiences of growing up, delicately covering topics like sharing and friendship, as well as difficult subjects like anger, fear and divorce.
Other hallmarks of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” included visits to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, where puppets like King Friday XIII, Queen Sara Saturday, X the Owl, Daniel Striped Tiger and Lady Elaine Fairchilde interacted with human friends like Mr. McFeely, the speedy deliveryman.
The Mister Rogers stamp features a photograph of a cardigan-clad Rogers and King Friday XIII. The stamp will be available at Post Offices and usps.com.