Fred Rogers Statue

Fred Rogers statue in James Hillis Rogers Park was unveiled in December 2016. Mr. Rogers was born and raised in Latrobe, PA. Fred Rogers family has done a lot for the Latrobe community, they participated and contributed to many community projects. Mr. Rogers was a writer and producer for his own show for children that taught and encouraged children to be kind to everyone. The statue was built in tribute of Mr. Fred Rogers of Mister Roger’s Neighborhood. When looking at the James Hillis Rogers Park the statue of Mr. Rogers is him sitting on a bench in his famous cardigan smiling. The Park is on the corner of Main Street and Jefferson Street.

The Fred Rogers Statue is located at his father’s memorial park, James H. Rogers Park in Latrobe, PA. The statue of Mr. Fred Rogers was created because he and his family were involved in a lot of community projects in Latrobe, Pa. The statue is a bronze life size Mr. Rogers sitting on a bench wearing his cardigan and sweater that he wore in his show. The artist who created the statue is Jon Hair. Jon hair is from St. Petersburg, Florida. It took him six months to build the statue to perfection. He used many photos of Fred to have his statue on a bench. The statue weighs 300 pounds.

            Mr. Fred Rogers was born and raised in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He started his love for puppets when he was child playing in the attic with them as imaginary friends. Mr. Rogers went to college for a degree in music composition, but after college he became a TV host, From being a TV host for a couple of years he decided to go further with television and became a co-producer for a new program for children. From retaining information from co-producing Rogers decided to write and produce his own TV show called “Misterogers Neighborhood.”

            Mr. Rogers decision to pursue a career in television began when he was a senior in college. It began when his family back in Latrobe got a Tv set, this really grew his interest of wanting to take part in it. After college he became a TV host in New York City in (1951). After a few years go by Fred decides to become a co-producer for WQED in Pittsburgh (1954).  Because Fred did well with people all over, at his ordination the church asked him to serve families through television (1962). After a while Rogers moved back to Pittsburgh where he wrote and produced his own TV show called Misterogers Neighborhood (1966).

            Misterogers Neighborhood ran from1968 to 2001. The show is based off how others should treat others with kindness. Rogers felt if kids were taught this at a young age it would teach them that kindness is important no matter how old you are. As a child Fred was often bullied a lot and didn’t have many friends. His friends were the puppets he would play with in the attic. When Mr. Rogers wrote and produced his TV show was sure to teach the importance of kindness in the community in his show. Mr. Rogers made the characters resemble his real life neighbors. 

            The Fred Rogers statue is located at James Hillis Rogers Memorial Park. James Hillis Rogers is Fred Rogers father. James and his family have done a lot for the Latrobe community. They funded a pool for Latrobe children to have the chance to go swimming in safer area than lakes and to build the community closer. Because they have done so much the community wanted to give back to them by dedicating a park to them that features a life size bronze Fred Rogers sitting on a bench in the park. This Park isn’t the only place that has a Fred Rogers statue. Other places that have a Fred Rogers statue is in Pittsburgh, Pa, and in Winter Park, Fl. 

https://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/sc-trav-mr-rogers-latrobe-1217-20191210-maaeqtzfcjfyhaxtfcqook2qny-story.html

McGuiggan, Jenna. Guide to visiting all of the Fred Rogers’ sites in Latrobe, PA, May 22nd, 2022. Accessed December 12th, 2022. https://www.verylocal.com/mister-rogers-latrobe-fred-rogers-birthplace/1240/.

contributors, Community. Fred Rogers Memorial, March 14th, 2022. Accessed December 12th, 2022. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/fred-rogers-memorial.

Betrand, Amy . It’s a beautiful day in Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood: the town of Latrobe, Pa., December 10th, 2019. Accessed December 12th, 2022. https://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/sc-trav-mr-rogers-latrobe-1217-20191210-maaeqtzfcjfyhaxtfcqook2qny-story.html.