Peanuts… Naturally
August 28, 2010–January 23, 2011
at the Charles M. Schulz Museum

Peanuts detail – May 16, 1974

July 30, 2010—Santa Rosa, California

Charlie Brown is in trouble with the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) for taking a bite out of a kite-eating tree, Lucy knows the Earth has 48 suns, and Snoopy and Linus are planting French fries in the garden.  These are just a few of the misadventures and explanations gone wrong as the Peanuts Gang explores the natural world—what other trouble can they find?!

The newest exhibition at the Charles M. Schulz Museum—Peanuts… Naturally (August 28, 2010 through January 23, 2011)—examines Schulz’s exploration of the natural world in a fun and educational way. Following its run at the Schulz Museum, the exhibition will travel throughout the United States to more than 31 museums and libraries for five years (from 2011 to 2016).

Through original Peanuts comic strips, videos, and objects, Peanuts…Naturally explores the Gang’s interpretations of the “web of nature,” the solar system, climate changes, trees, birds, gardening, and more. This exhibition also encourages visitors literally to get in touch with their natural surroundings through hands-on activity centers that provide practical advice on how individuals can be good environmental stewards in their own communities.

Environmental History in the Peanuts Strip
During the early years of Peanuts, Schulz’s characters had misguided understandings of the natural world (including how many suns rotate around the Earth and whether or not the Earth is flat), providing readers with many opportunities to laugh and learn.  In the 1970s, Schulz began to address environmental concerns more directly, perhaps reflecting Americans’ growing awareness and concern about the environment. Schulz’s warm and witty humor, combined with the innocence of his Peanuts characters, helped to make his observations about the human impact on the environment accessible to a global audience. 

About the Charles M. Schulz Museum & Research Center
The Charles M. Schulz Museum opened in August 2002 to fulfill its mission of preserving, displaying, and interpreting the art of Charles M. Schulz. The Museum carries out this mission through changing exhibitions and programming that build an understanding of cartoonists and cartoon art; illustrate the scope of Schulz’s multi-faceted career; communicate the stories, inspirations and influences of Charles Schulz; and celebrate the life of Charles Schulz and the Peanuts characters.

PEANUTS IMAGES
If you would like the image in this release at a higher resolution to print in a publication or on a web site, contact Gina Huntsinger at gina@schulzmuseum.org or (707) 284-1268.

Peanuts – November 16, 1954
Early on in the history of the Peanuts strip, Lucy studied the world around her... unfortunately coming to some misguided conclusions.

Peanuts – February 25, 1977
Charlie Brown's problems with the EPA began when he incited revenge on a kite-eating tree by biting it.

Peanuts – March 5, 1982
Snoopy and Linus properly prepare their garden for a crop of French fries.