Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Sept. 7, 2016

Helen Keller Birthplace

Last night we stayed in a RV park in Tuscumbia, AL. Happens to be the birthplace of Helen Keller.  This morning, before heading up the road, we visited the site.  Very nice!

We went early and were the first visitors of the day. Received a very good talk and tour by the very nice docent.  She told the history of the house and grounds (nearly 200 years old and looks new) and a very good enlightenment on the lives of Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan. 

On many tours we hve taken of historic places and homes the sites have been furnished with period era replacement items. Here, more than 85% of everything is original. Pictures, furniture, tableware, rugs, bedspreads (hand embroidered, pieced, and quilted crazy quilt that is the most impressive quilt I have ever seen), clothing, and much more. All the very items touched and used by Helen Keller and her family.

Highly inspiring visit.  I recommend  anyone anywhere near this area go out of their way to visit this spot.

P1030869

Clothes worn by Helen Keller and her mom.  Rug (hand woven) is a gift to Helen from a foreign country – don’t remember which.  Bedspread is a crazy quilt done by her aunt. It is amazing!  Sue has some close up pictures.

 

P1030871

See photo below.

P1030872

 

P1030873

Small cottage next to main house.  Originally used as an office but the Keller family lived in it for a while.  Actual birth place of Helen Keller.

 

P1030874

Room and possibly the bed where Helen Keller was born.

 

P1030876

The loblolly pine in the center background of this picture was grown from a seed that went to the moon and back.  The seedling was given to Ivy Green (name of Keller estate and grounds).  They call it the ‘moon pine’.

 

P1030877

No comment needed

 

 

P1030878

Stage near rear of property where productions of “The Miracle Worker’ are given every year.

 

If any one is interested, here is a map of our trip so far.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?hl=en&authuser=0&mid=12x4dHvzJbvb0UcaUtz2NjLNihZE



No comments:

Post a Comment