Join UMD Libraries Special Collections and University Archives for a conversation with Susie Tofte, Director of Collections and Archivist at The Jim Henson Company. In the sixty-five years since Jim Henson (1936-1990), best known as the creator of the Muppets, graduated from the University of Maryland, it has become clear that his student experience both in the classroom and in his extra-curricular activities had a profound impact on his creative and professional development, laying the foundation for a remarkable career. Using archival materials from The Jim Henson Company Archive, including original artwork, photography and video clips, this presentation will explore Jim’s time at the University of Maryland and his early work on local Washington television.

Speaker Bio

Susie Tofte is the Director of Collections and Archivist at The Jim Henson Company. In this capacity, she has contributed to numerous publications, public programs, museum exhibits, and documentaries related to the life and work of Jim Henson. In 2019, Tofte was co-curator of the exhibit, Inspired! Jim Henson at Maryland at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Prior to her work at the Jim Henson Company, she was an archivist at Sesame Workshop for 7 years. While there, she curated the exhibit “Somebody Come and Play: 45 Years of Sesame Street Helping Kids Grow Smarter” at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

Tofte holds a BA in history from Northwestern University and an MA in history and a Certificate in Archival Management from New York University.

Event Schedule:

12:30 PM: Archival Showcase Event—Hornbake Lobby (Light refreshments and ice cream)

2:00 PM: Susie Tofte Talk “From the Archives: Jim Henson at Maryland”—Hornbake Lobby and Virtual, Register Here!

4:00 PM: Center for Archival Futures Q&A with Susie Tofte—Hornbake 3210 (Instruction Room)