Family of Curious George Creators to Visit de Grummond in Hattiesburg

Among its distinguished holdings, the de Grummond Collection is honored to house the papers of H. A. and Margret Rey, the creators of Curious George. This fall, the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at The University of Southern Mississippi is welcoming members of the Rey family to Hattiesburg for a reunion and hosting a series of events from October 23 - 28 to celebrate their first visit to the Rey Collection and de Grummond.

“I am honored to welcome the Reys’ extended family to Hattiesburg,” said Karlie Herndon, curator of the de Grummond. “This reunion was delayed due to Covid-19, so we are truly delighted to have a second chance to celebrate. With exhibitions, a film-screening, and even a never-before-seen musical, the Reys’ legacy continues to enrich our community.”

The magic of Curious George transcends generations and continues to delight children and adults alike with his timeless curiosity and playful spirit, and in conjunction with Prospect Gallery, de Grummond is organizing events that will appeal to all ages.

Schedule of Events:

Prospect Gallery, Downtown Hattiesburg

Thursday, October 23 and Friday, October 24 |11 a.m. – 3 p.m.  

“Curious George: Original Works on Paper” Exhibit Opens

Rarely seen Rey materials, including original artwork, letters, and unpublished photographs from the Rey family

Saturday, October 25 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Final day to view “Curious George: Original Works on Paper”

Saturday, October 25 | 10:30 a.m.

Children's programming featuring story time, yellow hat craft, and visits with Curious George

Southern Miss Campus

Monday, October 27 | 7:30 p.m.

First public performance of selections from Rey of Light, a musical about H.A. and Margret Rey's life together, featuring the author, composer, and the Hub City Players

Joseph Paul Student Theater, Thad Cochran Center

October 24 – December 15

Rey exhibition in McCain Library and Archives, second floor

Tuesday, October 28 | 6:30 p.m.

Special viewing of Rey documentary, Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George’s Creators

A Q&A will follow the film showing 

Gonzales Auditorium, Liberal Arts Building

Wednesday, October 29 | 9 – 11 a.m.

Coffee and Cookies with the Curator

McCain Library and Archives, second floor

“Prospect Gallery is excited to host ‘Curious George: Original Works on Paper’ from the H.A and Margret Rey Collection. Southern Miss is fortunate to have this in the de Grummond Collection,” said Catherine Edmonson, program director at Prospect Gallery. “There’s nothing like seeing an original artwork, especially when it’s an iconic image like Curious George. Even the pencil smudges are exciting, as they’re a window onto an artist’s process.”

Dr. Lena de Grummond, a former professor of library science at Southern Miss, collected original materials from authors and illustrators of children’s books to use as resources for students. She sent handwritten letters to those authors and illustrators, including Curious George creators H.A. and Margret Rey, who were among the first to answer her request for materials.

The Reys created Curious George while living in France in early 1940. When the German army approached Paris in June 1940, the Reys fled on bicycles to Orleans, where they boarded a train for the Spanish border. They moved on to New York City via Spain, Portugal, and Brazil between June and October. Settled in New York City, the Reys sealed a contract with Houghton Mifflin of Boston for four children’s books in February 1941. They published Curious George later that year, although it would not become popular for another decade.