100 Years of Winnie-the-Pooh December 24

Winnie the Pooh as most Winnipeggers know, was originally Winnipeg Bear at the London Zoo. The first story by A.A .Milne and illustrated by E.H. Shephard was inspired by Winnie at the zoo and from a stuffed bear he had bought his son Christopher Robin at Harrods.

The first children's story was published in the London News on December 24, 1925. The U.S. and Canadian rights to Pooh are in the public domain as of 2022. A Winnie horror story came out shortly after that.

Today, an original painting by E.H. Shephard is the Pavilion Gallery at Assiniboine Park and a statue of Pooh with Lieutenant Harry Colburn is in the playground adjacent.

The Winnipeg connection to Winnie remains strong today but started 100 years ago on December 1925.