The U.S. Postal Service has immortalized television icon Mister Rogers on a Forever stamp. Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan dedicated the stamp honoring Fred Rogers today at the studio named in his honor where it all began 50 years ago — WQED’s Fred Rogers Studio in Pittsburgh.
“Mister Rogers and his Neighborhood of Make-Believe made the ups and downs of life easier to understand for the youngest members of our society,” said Brennan. “In Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” children learned, in a safe space, how to be a friend and create relationships. He shaped generations with his kindness and compassion. It’s why we honor him today.”
Fred Rogers (1928–2003) was known as a beloved television neighbor to generations of children. His groundbreaking public television series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood inspired and educated young viewers with warmth, sensitivity and honesty.
The stamp features Walt Seng’s photograph of Rogers in a red cardigan and also includes puppet King Friday XIII, a Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood character hailing from “The Neighborhood of Make-Believe.” The words “Forever” and “USA” appear in the left corner.
Each episode of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” began with its host welcoming the audience into his television “house.” While singing the show’s theme song “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” which he composed along with hundreds of other songs, Rogers always put on his trademark cardigan, changed into sneakers, and then introduced the day’s topic. He discussed many of the experiences of growing up, like sharing and friendship, and difficult subjects like anger, fear, divorce and death.
New episodes of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” aired nationally from 1968 to 2001. To generations of viewers who grew up enjoying his show, Rogers remains a beloved figure.
The Mister Rogers stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.
