Joel Chandler Harris
American journalist and folklorist
American journalist and folklorist
On a recent trip to Atlanta, we headed downtown to visit The Wren’s Nest – the beautiful old Queen Anne Victorian home of Joel Chandler Harris. Harris was a popular southern writer and journalist who wrote the Brer Rabbit tales for children in the late 19th century. Those stories became hugely popular among children and adults, and Disney even made an animated movie of the stories: “Song of the South,” in 1946.
The organization that maintains the Wren’s Nest keeps it beautifully preserved with its original furnishings. Stepping inside the house is truly like stepping back in time. The tour guides make you feel at home – like a visiting friend.
The lovely lady who greeted us and made us feel welcome is Nannie Thompson, Docent and Resident Southern Belle of the Wren’s Nest. She is the authority on all things Joel Chandler Harris. Her tour is packed with juicy, funny tidbits of Harris’ life and her own, and is told with great love and affection.
Queen Ann Victorian home
Porch
Front Entrance
Meet our delightful storyteller and tour guide Nannie
Entrance Foyer
Parlor
Nannie tells a tale
Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox humidor
Harris’ Rocker
Family Photo in the music room
Wallpaper
Daughter’s Bedroom
Harris’ Bedroom is left the way it was when he passed away
Joel Chandler Harris
Dining room
And the Stories
Off the Foyer opposite the parlor
Is where wide-eyed children and adults alike are enjoying
the storyteller.
Springtime in Atlanta
An old photo shows Harris sitting in his rocker on the porch. The rocker and tablecloth are displayed inside the house today.
The museum offers tours and scheduled storytelling. The house was packed with wide-eyed children who listened to the tales of Brer Rabbit outfoxing Mr.Fox. The storytellers are wonderful – they perform Harris' tales with great wit and creativity. There is also a gift shop with a great selection of books and gifts.
It was a wonderful, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Da kind of day!
It was a wonderful, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Da kind of day!
Linking
Thanks so much for sharing the tour. I want to go there. What beautiful wood work and book cases and porches. I am going to that area soon so thanks for the idea! Glad I stopped in.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily, Your posts are always so interesting to me! As ardent DisneyWorld fans we are well acquainted with these stories and have tried to read the originals after enjoying many trips down Splash Mountain. So many elements in this house are evident in the ride, including the rocking chair! Speaking of furniture, that bookcase and the bed are beautiful. I'm fascinated by the candlesticks attached to the front of the piano. I can see that this house is another thing to add to my list of reasons to visit Atlanta. I just love old houses and seeing a Victorian preserved so perfectly, with original pieces and family photos, is certainly a treat. Thanks for the tour! Linda
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to spend a day! I love your tour guide, I bet she was quite a character and very protective of that beautiful old home. I was stunned by all the carefully preserved personal items and photos, it is almost like the family had just stepped out for church or something and would be right back~thank you for sharing this Emily~
ReplyDeleteJenna
When I was a child growing up during the 60's in the West End area of Atlanta we visited the Uncle Remus museum on many occasions.I always loved it and loved the stories that were told on each visit by the story tellers.I love Brer Rabbit to this day and I am almost 60 years old.Another place we visited right down the street from there was the drug store where Coca Cola was first made,make sure to visit there also and other places of interest is the old cemetary where they actually had the painting on display of Whistlers mother at one time and also the Catholic church across from The Wrens Nest where all the nuns would be out and about the grounds during the day.Always loved all my visits in that area.Zipp -A-Dee-Doo-Dah.....Love It.
ReplyDeleteI loved the tour! I've never gotten the chance to do this when I get to Atlanta, but it would be interesting, for sure. I loved the tales of Uncle Remus when I was a child.
ReplyDeleteHow I would love to visit -- the Zip a dee doo dah memories it would inspire! So very, very beautifully maintained, too. Thanks for sharing this -- I'm not sure I would have known it was there otherwise. It goes on the "someday" list!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tour. I love the name of this house "the Wren's Nest". It is a beautiful house with lovely details.. Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteThis is on my list of places to visit, and I can't believe I haven't been before now! Such a gorgeous house, and oh, how I love the stories!
ReplyDeleteOh Emily, I am pleasantly surprised as I scroll down the bunny lane to this adorable music! Every room is alive with the imagination of this writer who went down in history. I love every photo you have taken, from the sweet photo of the bunny embraced in a very special frame to the wisteria. Zippity-do-da!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming by tonight; your name is in the tea pot for the draw!
See you on Friday and the rest of that week as we link up to Europe, and my dream destination? More than Italy....beyond.
I love this post!
Nannie is adorable and the house and gardens are sheer magic. Love those dishes too!
ReplyDeleteBig Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
I love the humidor. And all the William Morris wallpaper.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible tour - I'm so glad I clicked on your link for Charm of Home - absolutely enthralling -
ReplyDeleteI'd give anything to have a porch like that - you could have porch parties for a lot of people on that beauty !
Loved seeing original photos of the author as well ( although he looks so small in that rocker lol )
Loved seeing it - thanks so much for sharing
Hugs,
Suzan
What a wonderful tour! Thanks so much for bringing us along for all the beautiful sights and lessons! I loved all those stories and now they have new meaning! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely tour! I've never heard of this home and now when we visit Atlanta, we are going to stop by here. Thanks SO much for sharing this charming home!!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post and the tour! :)
ReplyDeletelooks like a wonderful place to visit. Hope I have the opportunity soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful slice of history in this lovely visit. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete