Jim Henson Statue and Memorial Garden
This garden features a bronze statue of Kermit the Frog
perched on a red granite bench with creator and Maryland alumnus Jim Henson. The
spot, a popular photo opportunity on campus, was dedicated on September 24,
2003. The 450 pound statue was created by artist Jay Hall Carpenter and funded
through the generous support of the classes of 1994, 1998, and 1999. The garden
layout is a series of semi-circular beds, with curving hedges of red-flowering
shrub roses, boxwoods, and pink-flowering variegated weigela (Weigela florida
‘Variegata’). Pink-flowered crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) and
redbuds (Cercis canadensis) provide shade, along with two towering
sycamore trees (Platanus occidentalis). Henson, who graduated from the
University of Maryland in 1960, was known the world over for his creation of the
Muppets and his work in television with Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. His
work in film included six movies starring the Muppets and two fantasy pieces,
The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.
Garden
Jim Henson
Crapemyrtle