The history of the Teddy Bear began in 1902 when President Theodore Roosevelt came to Smedes to hunt. Roosevelt refused to shoot a captive bear and cartoons of this event are thought to have lead to the creation of the Teddy Bear. The Teddy Bear Museum in Picayune, Ms shares the story behind the “Teddy Bear” legend. The museum has a Teddy Bear Tea Room, the Teddy Roosevelt Theater, the Teddy Bear Gift shop. and a banquet hall. There are over 15,000 teddy bears and related items to see. Ricky Lenart, founder of the museum, began collecting almost 40 years ago, and the collection is growing still today!
Address: 1299 S. Haugh Avenue 
City: Picayune
County: Pearl River
Phone: 601.778.BEAR
Website: The Teddy Bear House Museum
Hours of operation: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am–5pm; Sunday, 12pm- 5pm
Accessibility: accessible ramps; accessible bathroom