A rainbow connection of fans gathers to mark Jim Henson's 90th birthday

ASTORIA, Queens -- Jim Henson's birthday is always a big occasion at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens. This year, organizers needed four days to squeeze in the festivities.

Sept. 24, 2026, marked what would've been the Muppet creator Jim Henson's 90th birthday. The museum is home to the rare, permanent collection called The Jim Henson Exhibition. It showcases Henson's prolific career through his work, puppets, impact on the television and film industries, and his influence on pop culture.

MoMI Executive Director Aziz Isham says it's a fitting home.

"It really allows us to be a community hub for people who are fans of the Muppets, fans of 'Fraggle Rock,' fans of 'Sesame Street'. 'Sesame Street' is filmed right across the street from us, too," Isham said.

Puppeteers Kate Gaynor and Richard Gomez met during a previous Henson birthday celebration. Gaynor loves how Henson's work "is all about finding yourself and acceptance in kind of a big scary world and knowing there's a place for you among all the little, weird creatures."

Matt Bingel grabbed a table at the puppet tea party with his neurodiverse puppet club, The Drama of Works Puppet Club. He describes the vibe as "a lot of great people and a lot of great fans of puppetry."

The Jim Henson Company also held a screening of "Time Piece," Henson's 1965 Oscar-nominated short, produced and filmed around the Tri-State area. Archives director Karen Falk gave fans an in-depth look into the piece, which included set photos in familiar locales.

"He really grew his company in New York. New York is the home of many of his creative partnerships. He gathered his team here. With the success of 'The Muppet Show,' he bought what we think of as the Muppet Mansion on East 69th Street, which was the headquarters for many years, of the company." Jim Henson's creature shop, which creates iconic puppets and characters, is also based in New York.

Rachel Hunt's brother, Richard, was one of Henson's early puppeteers and creative partners.

She comes to the event to remember her late brother and connect with the Muppet family, which she calls "just the most incredible group of loving people who come together with so much love and feel like they're so accepted in this environment."