NY Library Keeps Winnie-the-Pooh Toys in New York City
The library declined a loan request, ensuring the 105-year-old bear remains on display for local visitors through 2026.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Wildlife
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The New York Public Library has declined a request to loan the original Winnie-the-Pooh stuffed toys to Buckingham Palace for the character's 100th anniversary. The library cited preservation concerns regarding the 105-year-old bear, which currently remains on display in New York City.
Why it matters
The decision keeps the iconic toys in their long-term home at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building rather than subjecting the delicate artifacts to international transit. The debate highlights the ongoing stewardship responsibilities for historical items housed in public collections.
The 20-inch Farnell teddy bear, purchased at Harrods in 1921, has resided at the New York Public Library since its donation in 1987. The current centennial exhibition, Silly Old Bear! Winnie-the-Pooh at 100, remains open to the public through November 30, 2026.
The players
New York Public Library
A major public research library system that serves as the permanent steward for the Winnie-the-Pooh collection.
Gyles Brandreth
The British emissary who formally requested the temporary loan of the original stuffed toys.
Daphne Milne
The original owner who purchased the teddy bear at Harrods in 1921.
Gwyneth Dunwoody
A former Labour Member of Parliament who previously advocated for the repatriation of the toys to Britain in 1998.
The details
Library leadership denied the loan request from emissary Gyles Brandreth, prioritizing the structural integrity of the century-old fabric toys over the planned appearance at Buckingham Palace. Because the bear is 105 years old, curators avoid handling or transport to prevent further degradation of the historic materials. The collection has been in the United States since arriving for a promotional tour in 1947, preceding the 1998 campaign by Gwyneth Dunwoody to return them to Britain.
Timeline
1921: Daphne Milne purchased the teddy bear at Harrods.
1947: The toys arrived in the United States.
1987: The toys were donated to the New York Public Library.
1998: Gwyneth Dunwoody demanded the return of the toys.
November 30, 2026: The centennial exhibition closes at the library.
The Home Front
This dispute over the location of the Winnie-the-Pooh toys follows a long-standing trend of public debate regarding the repatriation of historical artifacts held in foreign collections. The library's decision reaffirms its role as the permanent legal custodian for the set, consistent with its 1987 acquisition.
New York City families interested in seeing the toys can visit the pop-up exhibition at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building through November 30, 2026. Be sure to check the library's website for visitor hours before planning your trip, as entry to special exhibits can require advance time-slot booking.
The takeaway
The original Winnie-the-Pooh toys will remain in their New York home rather than traveling to Buckingham Palace for the centennial celebrations. Families can still view the artifacts in person at the library until the exhibition concludes on November 30, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local exhibits and animal-themed displays in our Wildlife section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Smithsonian Magazine.
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