Allentown's Pip the Mouse

Welcome to the Liberty Bell Museum’s “Pip the Mouse” Page,
your source for information about Allentown’s favorite mouse, Pip.

See Allentown’s "Pip the Mouse"
at the Liberty Bell Shrine Museum
and out in our community!

Summer, 2008 Schedule of Events

May 22 - May 26 -- Mayfair, Cedar Creek Parkway, Allentown; various times, strolling performer

June 14 – Race for Adam at the Lehigh Parkway, Allentown; 9:00 a.m. to noon

June 14 – Annual Flag Day Program and Allentown Band Concert, West Park, Allentown; 7:00 p.m.

July 2 – Bilingual Reading Program, Allentown Public Library; 10:00 a.m., 1210 Hamilton St.

July 2 – Family Storytime Program, Allentown Public Library, 6:45 p.m., 1210 Hamilton St.

July 4 – Independence Day Celebration, Liberty Bell Museum, 12:30 p.m. - Family Food and Activities,
1:30 p.m. - "Let Freedom Ring Natl. Bell Ringing Ceremony

July 6 – Independence Day Service, Zion’s Church; 10:00 a.m. - Reading of the Declaration of Independence

August 26 - September 1- The Great Allentown Fair, Agri-Plex at the Allentown Fairgrounds, various times

September 20 and 21 - "Colonial Saturday and Sunday,"
Liberty Bell Museum and Zion’s Church, 1:00 p.m. Saturday - Make Your Own Ice-cream and Children’s Activities; 10:00 a.m. Sunday Colonial Church Service

Pip the Mouse: The Mouse Before Christmas

Beginning Friday, November 28, 2008 and extending through Saturday, January 3, 2009, the Liberty Bell Museum is pleased to present, for its sixth holiday season, the classic holiday puppet show, "Pip the Mouse: The Mouse Before Christmas." The ten-minute show takes place on the Night Before Christmas. Santa is stuck in the Chimney! Will he get out in time to deliver all of his toys?

Starring Allentown's favorite mouse, Pip, "The Mouse Before Christmas" has been a holiday tradition in Allentown since 1962, when Max Hess, Jr. purchased the stage and show for his world-famous Hess's department store in Allentown. This holiday puppet show created by Dr. George R. Creegan is celebrating its 46th Anniversary in Allentown. Come and experience all the fun and excitement yourself! Let the magic and wonder of Pip brighten your holiday. Young and old alike will love him!

Performances: Friday, November 28, 2008 - Saturday, January 3, 2009

Performances will not be held on Wednesday, December 24th or Thursday, December 25th.
Allow time to visit our special Holiday Exhibits.

Other 2008 Holiday Events

• Breakfast with Pip the Mouse
• Christmas Eve with Pip the Mouse
• Pip the Mouse's 46th Birthday Celebration and Last Performances Party

In 1962, the Stage and Puppets for "Pip the Mouse: the Mouse Before Christmas" were purchased by Max Hess, Jr. for his department store in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The holiday puppet show, created by Dr. George R. Creegan (founder of the Creegan Company, Inc. Steubenville, Ohio,) made its world premier at Hess's in Allentown on Saturday, October 27, 1962. The puppet show stage was placed in one of the front windows on Hamilton Street and delighted thousands of people of all ages.

In the 1970's, Pip was moved to the 5th floor Community Room and "Winter Wonderland" was added complete with mechanical animals, people, trees and a Swiss chalet. When Hess's was sold to the BonTon, the store continued to present Pip until December, 1995. "The Mouse Before Christmas" was last performed at the former Hess's building at 9th and Hamilton Streets. The BonTon donated Pip and his pals to the Allentown Economic and Development Corporation in 1996. Pip was presented by the former Allentown Downtown Improvement District Authority from 1996-2001, lastly at the Allentown Public Library.

In 2001-2002, Pip was restored at the Civic Theater. Joint custody of Pip was given to the Liberty Bell Museum and the Allentown Public Library in 2003. The museum restored the original stage and audio soundtrack and has presented the traditional "Pip the Mouse" puppet show to thousands of visitors during the holiday season each year since 2003. The 2008 Holiday Season marks our sixth year with Pip the Mouse.