Magic and History Unite Sept. 21

at Cambridge Historical Society’s Curious George Celebration

By Susie Davidson

CORRESPONDENT

Kids young and old will share in the magic of Curious George and receive a valuable history lesson at the Hooper-Lee-Nichols House museum this Saturday.

"Curious George Goes to the Museum," a special event presented by the Cambridge Historical Society in collaboration with Curious George Goes to WordsWorth, will run from 2-4 p.m. at the historic 159 Brattle St. house.

Along with refreshments and fun, children will meet Curious George and his friend The Man with the Yellow Hat, who will read the story, "Curious George Gets a Medal" in which George visits a natural history museum. As is typical of the monkey’s adventures, George’s pursuit becomes far more complex than originally anticipated.

The CHS will also distribute an informal "looking guide" which will enable families to tour the rooms on their own, as CHS volunteers help them to contrast their own modern lifestyles to those portrayed at the museum.

“We want to encourage children and their families,” said CHS Director Sally Purrington Hild, “to visit the Hooper-Lee-Nichols House so they might have an opportunity to see the oldest house in Cambridge (c. 1685) and leave with the understanding that museums are historical resources for people of all ages (and for monkeys), that it is good to be curious about the past, and that history can be a tremendous amount of fun.

“By having Curious George as a visitor, perhaps children might learn about colonial architecture and artifacts through the character's eyes.”

The mischievous monkey Curious George, the creation of the late Cambridge authors and Hilliard Street residents Margret and Hans Augusto Rey, is a local character beloved by children around the world.

“Curious George Goes to WordsWorth,” said store owner Donna Friedman, “is proud to join with the Cambridge Historical Society in honoring the work of the Reys. Our love for Curious George led to the birth of our store, and without Margret Rey's kind cooperation we wouldn't be here. We're happy for a chance to celebrate the Reys, who are now a Cambridge institution.”

On Nov. 10, 2001, which was the 60th anniversary year of Curious George, the CHS welcomed over 100 guests who played party games and enjoyed a specially-made birthday cake. Several former neighbors of the Reys spoke at this event, along with WordsWorth owner Hillel Stavis. (The talks were audio-taped for the CHS archives, and are available to the public upon request).

The CHS is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of Cambridge, Massachusetts and the ca. 1685 Hooper-Lee-Nichols House.

At Saturday’s event, Curious George Goes to Wordsworth will have a table stocked with their books and merchandise. Admission is $2 per child. Visitor numbers are limited; guests must RSVP by calling the CHS office at 617-547-4252. Directions and more information about the CHS can be found on the CHS web site, www.cambridgehistory.org.