The Teddy Bear House Museum returns visitors to the magical wonder of childhood. Initially housed in the New Orleans home of Rick Lenart and Cornel Jeansonne, the duo recognized the need for more space and a permanent home and relocated the teddy bear collection to Picayune, Mississippi. Why Mississippi?
On November 14, 1902, President Teddy Roosevelt’s famous bear hunting trip took place in Onward, Mississippi, at the invitation of Mississippi Governor Andrew H. Longino. Mr. Mangrum, the owner of the Smedes Plantation, hosted President Roosevelt. Holt Collier, a remarkable figure whose past intertwined with slavery and his Confederate cavalry service, served as Roosevelt’s guide. During the hunt, the dogs pursued a bear. While the President and his group returned to camp for lunch, the bear emerged where Collier predicted. The dogs cornered the bear, and in turn, the bear attacked Holt’s dog. Collier was able to subdue the bear and tie it to a tree. When the President returned, Collier directed the President to shoot the bear. Roosevelt refused, saying it was unsportsmanlike. The press sensationalized the story, which led to the stuffed toy bears being renamed “Teddy Bears.” The Teddy Bear is now the state toy of Mississippi, celebrated annually at the Great Delta Bear Affair with a commemorative teddy bear.
According to the owners, the Teddy Bear House Museum in Picayune houses an impressive collection of over 30,000 bears in various forms, shapes, and sizes, the most extensive bear collection in the world. The museum is meticulously decorated to resemble a house, featuring all the typical rooms, including a dining room, kitchen, parlor, bear man cave, bathroom, and more. Additionally, there are unique rooms like the Teddy Roosevelt Theater, Teddy Bear Tea Room, and Everything Bear Gift Shop.