Object Details
transferring agency
Lemelson Center
depicted
Douglass, Frederick
user
Brewery Troupe, Inc.
maker
Brewery Troupe, Inc.
Description (Brief)
This large arm puppet represents Frederick Douglass, the renowned 19th century abolitionist, journalist, and statesman. Douglas is made of soft plush fabric and batting and is dressed in 19th century style. Douglass is one of three puppets created to celebrate the 150th birthday of Lewis Latimer (1848-1928), an African American scientist, inventor, and engineer.
In 1998, the Lemelson Center at the National Museum of American History commissioned the Brewery Troupe of Freeport, New York, to create puppets that could be used in their education program "Lewis Latimer: The Renaissance Man". In addition to Douglass, puppets representing Lewis Latimer and Thomas Edison were created for the program.
The Brewery Troupe was founded in 1973 by Brad Brewer, an accomplished puppeteer who trained under Jim Henson and performed puppetry shows on TV and the stage. The Brewery Troupe's goal is to interpret African American literature, music, and humor through the arts of the puppet theater.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1998
ID Number
1999.0144.03
accession number
1999.0144
catalog number
1999.0144.03
Object Name
puppet
Physical Description
fabric (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 124.5 cm x 53.25 cm; 49 in x 20 15/16 in
place made
United States: New York, Freeport
Associated Place
United States: New York, New York
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Entertainment
Puppets
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
Puppetry
Anti-Slavery
Invention
African American
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1030599