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Puppets have long been a part of the Meekins Library story. From simple finger puppets to colorful hand puppets, to home-made sock puppets, to small and large “stuffie” puppets of all kinds, to complex fully articulated marionettes controlled by rods and string, to larger-than-life “full body” creatures with humans inside, puppets have been used to entertain and educate children and people of all ages for centuries.

At Meekins, Rochelle, the Meekins Children’s Library, has been using finger puppets and shadow puppets and all kinds of critters in her story telling for more than 40 years. There have been shadow puppet shows, and clowns and puppet stories, and guest puppeteers over the years. Meekins has a small collection of tiny fantasy finger puppets of fairies and mermaids, crazy critter hand puppets of dragons and lobsters, a large red “stuffie” parrot, and Harry Potter in his Gryffindor hat, with his Quidditch broom.

The art of puppetry crosses cultures, millennia, media and performances. How many have childhood memories of “The Muppets”—with Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy? Did you create puppet shows for family and friends? Do you have a favorite famous puppet? Share your puppet memories. And visit the Meekins to see the Puppet Patrol in the Library’s Cabinet of Curiosities. Daria D’Arienzo, Meekins Archivist and photographer. #throwbackthursday; #tbt.

Posted to Facebook 3/12/26

framed sign reads "cabinet of curiosities: puppet patrol—puppets from the meekins puppet collection," with an illustration of a hand wearing finger puppets.
a wooden display case contains various puppets, with additional puppet figures and a sign reading "puffet patrol" arranged on top. the case stands on a tiled floor near a brick wall.
a red plush parrot toy stands upright on a colorful fabric surface with a marionette doll hanging in the background.
three finger puppets: two with crowns dressed as royalty, and one in a jester hat, are displayed on clear stands against a dark background.
a cloth hand puppet with a yellow bow and blue dress sits next to a knitted lion with a brown mane on a red surface.
a pink sock monkey puppet with a white face and red mouth is positioned facing away on a shelf next to a yellow crocheted object.
a cloth doll dressed as a fairy with green wings, a green dress, and white leggings stands on a red surface against a dark background.
two handmade puppets: a large green crocodile with an open mouth and a smaller yellow creature with wire legs, displayed on a red cloth background.
a red plush lobster toy sits upright in a blue and green cloth container, with its claws and antennae visible.
three fabric dolls: a mermaid with a blue green tail, a fairy with gold wings and a red dress, and a pirate with brown pants and a green headscarf, displayed on a red surface.
a red, yellow, and blue bird puppet faces a small, black and red figure with a cone shaped base on a clear display box against a wooden background.
a marionette dressed as a wizard, wearing glasses, a black robe, a pointed hat, and a yellow and purple scarf, holding a broomstick, hangs against a corner wall.
a plush firefighter doll with a yellow helmet, bushy mustache, tan uniform, and black boots stands upright on a colorful surface.