The original Kermit the Frog puppet has been donated to the Smithsonian . `` Jim Henson embodied the innovation and ingenuity that are inherent in American culture . Nine other characters from the 1950s show ` ` Sam and Friends '' were also donated . The puppets were donated by the estate of Jim Henson . ` ` Sam and Friends '' ran from 1959 to 1963 .
The original Kermit the Frog puppet has been donated to the Smithsonian . Nine other characters from the 1950s show ` ` Sam and Friends '' were also donated . The puppets were donated by the estate of Jim Henson . ` ` Sam and Friends '' ran from 1959 to 1963 .