REY FAMILY REUNION
Among its distinguished holdings, the de Grummond Collection is fortunate 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.
Schedule of Events
October 23 through 28, 2025
Prospect Gallery, Downtown Hattiesburg:​​​
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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Rarely seen Rey materials, including original artwork, letters, and unpublished photographs from the Rey family
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Saturday, October 25 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Final day to view Rey exhibit downtown
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Saturday, October 25 | 10:30 a.m.
Children's programming featuring story time, yellow hat craft, and visits with Curious George
Southern Miss Campus:
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October 24 – December 15
From Hamburg to Hattiesburg
Rey Exhibit
McCain Library and Archives, second floor
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Monday, October 27 | 7:30 p.m.
Rey of Light, a musical about H.A. and Margret Rey's life
Joseph Paul Student Theater, Thad Cochran Center
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Experience the first public performance of selections from “Rey of Light” featuring the author, Jen Cohen, the composer (music and lyrics), Nicky Phillips, and the Hub City Players. Though H.A. and Margret Rey are best known for their creation of Curious George, their lives were filled with hard work, passion, and constant creativity. With their escape from Nazi-occupied France to their journey to New York, the musical brings their sometimes dangerous and often beautiful lives to life on the stage.
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Recommended audience: 12 and up.
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Tuesday, October 28 | 6:30 p.m.
Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George's Creators
Gonzales Auditorium, Liberal Arts Building​
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Join the extended family of the creators of Curious George as they screen this enchanting documentary, which blends photographs, interviews, and animated scenes of the lives of
H.A. and Margret Rey.
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A Q&A will follow the film showing
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Wednesday, October 29 | 9 – 11 a.m.
Coffee and Cookies with the Curator
McCain Library and Archives, second floor
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.