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Peter Rabbit's Garden

February 9, 2002 - May 27, 2002

Museum: Natural History Museum

Location: Special Exhibitions Gallery, 1st Floor, Center (Hall 10)

Marking the 100th anniversary of the original publication of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, this exhibition explores the life of author Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) as a naturalist, writer, artist, farmer, and conservationist. Designed to appeal to visitors of all ages, it presents the themes of natural science and environmental conservation through the story of Potter's life and the characters from her books.

Highlights include:

• original copies most of the 23 "little books," as well as a giant "little book" that gives biographies of Potter's characters
• excerpts from Potter's letters and the journal she kept from the age of 13
• the 1st Peter Rabbit doll (produced by Steiff in 1904)
• a selection of Potter's paintings, sketches, and watercolors
• natural history specimens in a re-created "children's nursery"
• a "rabbit's eye" view of Mr. McGregor's Garden, with a "treasure hunt" (for children) ? computers offering an "virtual walk" of the English Lake District, highlighting places that inspired much of the scenery in Potter's books
• a theater showing a documentary about Potter's life and animated versions of her stories

Museum Store with related book ($19.95), "little books," and a variety of Peter Rabbit items

See April 2002 Smithsonian magazine, pp. 38-40