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The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne | Purchase from Bookshop
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Based on the books by A. A. Milne, one might think Christopher Robin and his stuffed animals, especially the teddy bear named Winnie the Pooh, were inseparable pals. One might also think that to visit the famous Pooh-stick playing bear you would have to travel to Ashdown Forest, England, where the family once lived. Sadly, neither of these are true. Instead, the original stuffed animals that inspired Milne’s stories about Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood permanently reside in the Children’s Room of the New York Public Library, in the United States.

The Real History of Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh
If you’ve seen the recent Biopic, Goodbye Christopher Robin, or the more recent live-action, Christopher Robin film, you might assume that the real Christopher Robin had a falling out with his old friends, as any teenager is wont to do with his stuffed animals, but then rekindled his relationship with them later. The real story is unfortunately not so heartwarming. The real Christopher Robin disliked being only recognized as the five-year-old that inspired his father and was frustrated by the press and commercialization his toys generated. He was then bullied at boarding school for his fictional representation. Wanting to distance himself from Pooh and his story, in 1947 he donated the toys to his father’s American publisher. Around 1987 the publisher sent the toys to America for display to increase book sales. With no desire for them back in England, the toys were soon donated to the New York Public Library. In 1998 a British MP noticed the bear and friends in NYC during a trip and lobbied to have them returned home to Britain. In the end, Christopher Robin’s wish to maintain as much distance between him and his past as possible prevailed and the stuffed animals were left in the care of the New York Public Library.

Where to Visit the Former Inhabitants of The Hundred Acre Wood
To visit the former inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood, the easiest access is through the 42nd Street entrance to the library. Through this door, you’ll find the Children’s Room directly to your left down a short hallway. Inside, just past the desk, is an alcove built just for the stuffed animals’ display case. Behind the case is a large print of the map of the Hundred Acre Wood and off to the side is a small plaque directing you to an NYPL webpage for more information about the display.

In the large glass case, the original Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, Piglet, and Kanga are on display. The stuffed animal Roo, the younger kangaroo, was lost at some point, and the characters Owl and Rabbit were not based on original stuffed animals. If you walk to the back of the case behind the animals you can even see the tack holding Eeyore’s tail tenuously in place.

Much to my dismay, neither the webpage nor any wording on the wall indicates the reason the toys have ended up in America, and the librarian at the desk refused to divulge any such information either, telling us when asked, to go look at the website. She also didn’t seem that pleased by our excitement over the stuffed animals. I left feeling so sad that a bear that has brought such happiness to so many has been rejected by his owner, and now sits under the less than enthusiastic care of America. I hope someday to visit Ashdown Forest, England and play Pooh-sticks over a bridge in honor of this teddy bear, who may never get to go home.
Let’s Talk!
Did you know Pooh Bear and friends are in America? Do you have an opinion on whether the former inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood should return to England? Let’s discuss in the comments below!
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I had no idea Pooh was in NYC!
I was surprised when I found out! I don’t know how I never knew this!
I remember when Pooh and Friends were on display at the Donnell Library in NYC in the 1970’s. There doesn’t seem any mention of that.
I was not aware they were at another library, so after googling, it looks like the Donnell Library was part of the NYPL and when the building was closed the children’s material was moved to where it is now. I mentioned that the toys were donated to the NYPL, I didn’t know sections of it had been housed in other buildings before.
Possibly they were on loan when they were at the Donnell years earlier than their arrival at the Main Library on 42nd Street.
And since you seem unfamiliar with the Donnell, it housed a large collection of art books and had a movie theater as well as the other collections you would expect in a library. Pooh and Friends were housed in an old fashioned glass case.
That’s very interesting! However, it does seem that the Donnell was a branch of the NYPL, so they would not have been on loan, just housed at that particular branch until it closed. Thank you for letting me know.
Yes, it was the art library of the NYPL system.
I was very surprised after watching Goodbye Christopher Robin that Winnie the Pooh and his friends are in New York. I think this is very disappointing. They should be in the land of their burth. In England near to the Ashdown Forest. I am sad that as a lifelong fan of these characters that I will never get to see them.
I agree, however I’m happy I was able to see them. I hope I get to visit Ashdown Forest one day and and play Pooh sticks. Will you never visit NYC?
Sadly my financial situation won’t allow for this. I shall have to content myself with the fact that I live in the land of tgeir birth and have been to the 100 Aker Wood.
While that’s too bad, I would rather live in the U.K. than visit NYC any day!
I grew up with Winnie the Pooh(the Disney version) , I still have my small Pooh Bear that was I believe was part of a promotion for Sears. I knew that the original was at the library and I believe that it is high time Pooh and his friends were returned to England.
I agree!
I think the American children have had Pooh and friends long enough, bring them home and let the British and European children enjoy them for a while. As for Christopher Robin it’s sad I know but Pooh has brought so much joy to so many of us. Can someone start a petition again to bring them home….
I think they should return to Ashdown Forest!