British Embassy Denies Rumors of Winnie-the-Pooh's Return to UK
The embassy confirmed the beloved character and friends will remain at the New York Public Library, dispelling claims of a campaign to bring them back to Britain.
The British Embassy in Washington has quashed rumors circulating about a campaign to return the cherished collection of Winnie-the-Pooh stuffed animals to the United Kingdom. The toys, which inspired A.A. Milne's beloved children's books, have resided at the New York Public Library for decades.
"There’s an open invite if Pooh ever wants to make a temporary visit to the UK, but we have no doubt that Pooh and his pals are in excellent hands with the New York Public Library," the embassy stated in a social media post.
Rumors of a potential relocation began to surface following a report last week detailing efforts to bring the iconic bear back to Britain as the character approaches its 100th anniversary. Winnie-the-Pooh was originally purchased by A.A. Milne for his son Christopher Robin's first birthday in 1921. The collection later traveled to the U.S. for a national tour before being donated to the New York Public Library by publisher Dutton Children’s Books in 1987.
Melissa Grace, director of communications at the New York Public Library, expressed excitement for the anniversary and invited the public to an exhibit celebrating the character. "Christopher Robin’s childhood toys are a cornerstone of our renowned children’s literature collection," she said, noting that the library plans to distribute 3,000 copies of the books.
Past attempts to repatriate the toys have been met with resistance. In the late 1990s, a British lawmaker raised the issue in Parliament, drawing parallels to the return of the Elgin Marbles. In response, a New York congresswoman introduced a resolution condemning the effort to remove the bear, stating, "The Brits have their head in a honey jar if they think they are taking Pooh out of New York City."
Unlike historical artifacts, the Winnie-the-Pooh collection was freely given to the library, ensuring its continued presence in New York. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal reinforced the sentiment, reposting the embassy’s statement and adding, "You come at the bear, you best not miss."