Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre facts for kids
The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre is a special building in Central Park, Manhattan, New York City. It's located near the Delacorte Theater and 79th Street. This unique cottage was originally built in Sweden. It traveled to the U.S. in 1876 for a big event called the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.
The cottage looked like a small schoolhouse and showed off Swedish building skills. A famous park designer named Frederick Law Olmsted saw it and loved it. He decided to bring it to Central Park in 1877.
Since 1947, the cottage has been home to a puppet theater group. This group used to travel all over New York City. They performed puppet shows in playgrounds and school halls. Today, the City Parks Foundation helps continue these shows. They have a special group called the CityParks PuppetMobile. This is the oldest traveling puppet company in the country. They offer free shows and workshops in parks, community centers, and schools.
In 1973, a permanent theater was built inside the cottage. It was made just for marionette shows. Since then, many thousands of kids and families have enjoyed the original puppet plays there. The cottage is also part of the Historic House Trust of New York City. This means it's an important historical building.
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What is the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre?
The Swedish Cottage is a charming building in Central Park, New York City. It's not just any building; it's a special place where puppets come to life! This cottage has a long history, starting far away in Sweden. It was brought to the United States over 140 years ago.
How the Cottage Came to New York
The story of the Swedish Cottage began in 1876. It was built in Sweden to be shown at the Centennial Exposition. This was a huge fair in Philadelphia that celebrated 100 years of American independence. The cottage was Sweden's way of showing off its amazing architecture and craftsmanship. It looked like a perfect little schoolhouse.
A very important person named Frederick Law Olmsted saw the cottage at the fair. He was the landscape architect who designed Central Park. Olmsted was so impressed by the cottage's beauty and design. He decided it would be a wonderful addition to Central Park. So, in 1877, the cottage was moved from Philadelphia to its new home in New York City.
Puppet Shows at the Swedish Cottage
For many years, the Swedish Cottage has been a center for puppet shows. It's a magical place where stories are told using marionettes. These are puppets controlled by strings from above.
The Traveling Puppet Troupe
Starting in 1947, the cottage became home to a group of puppeteers. This group was very active. They didn't just stay in the cottage. They traveled all around New York City. They brought their puppet shows to playgrounds and school auditoriums. This helped many children see and enjoy the art of puppetry.
CityParks PuppetMobile Today
The tradition of puppet shows continues today thanks to the City Parks Foundation. They run the CityParks PuppetMobile. This is a special mobile theater that travels to different neighborhoods. It's the oldest puppet company of its kind in the United States that has been running without stopping.
The PuppetMobile offers free performances for everyone. They also teach kids how to make their own puppets. You can find them in parks, community centers, and schools all over New York City. It's a great way for more children to experience the joy of puppets.
A Permanent Home for Marionettes
In 1973, a big change happened at the Swedish Cottage. A special theater was built inside the cottage itself. This theater was designed just for marionette performances. It made the cottage a permanent home for puppet shows.
Since then, hundreds of thousands of children and their families have visited. They come from all over the world to watch the original marionette productions. The shows are created by talented puppet makers and puppeteers. The cottage is also recognized as an important historical building by the Historic House Trust of New York City.
Popular Marionette Performances
The City Parks Foundation manages all the shows at the Swedish Cottage. Expert puppet makers and puppeteers work together to bring these stories to life. They create amazing marionette productions that entertain and inspire.
Some of the popular shows performed at the cottage include:
- "Hansel and Gretel"
- "Gulliver's Travels"
- "Sleeping Beauty"
- "Alice in Wonderland"
- "Jack and the Beanstalk"
- “The Secret History of the Swedish Cottage"
These shows and many others have made the Swedish Cottage a beloved place for families. It's a place where imagination takes center stage.
