16 December 2009

Atlanta, Georgia: Joel Chandler Harris: Literary Landmarks of the Southern United States, #30

The Wren's Nest, the final home of Joel Chandler Harris, is on 1050 Ralph David Abernathy SW, in the West End of Atlanta. He lived here from 1881 to 1908, and bought the home from the Atlanta Constitution, which employed him. Soon after his transformation of the old farmhouse, wrens nested in the mailbox and the house was nicknamed 'The Wrens Nest'. The museum was established in 1913.

'The Wrens Nest Home of Joel Chandler Harris. Creator of the Uncle Remus stories and proponent of the New South, Joel Chandler Harris was born December 9, 1848 in Eatonton. After serving an apprenticeship on a plantation newspaper The Counrtyman near Eatonton and working on several Georgia dailies, he joined the staff of the Atlanta Constitution in 1876. His prolific pen has immortalized the folklore of the Old South. In 1880, he purchased this house for his home, calling it "Snap-Bean Farm". When a wren built her nest in the mailbox, he changed the name to "Wren's Nest".

Soon after his death, July 3, 1908, the Uncle Remus Memorial Assocation was organized. On January 10, 1913. it purchased the "Wren's Nest". That same year the Uncle Remus Library was organized and remained there for 17 years. The Uncle Remus Memorial Assocation was rechartered August 23, 1937, as the Joel Chandler Harris Memorial Association. The "Wren's Nest" is owned and operated by the association.'

'The Path of Authors' consists of a number of stones dedicated to local authors at the front of the house on either side of the steps leading up to the verandah.

1 comment:

H Gay Allen said...

You certainly seem dedicated to the literary material of the SOuthern United States. My grandfather was The Mountain Hornet, a relatively well published poet in Kentucky newspapers. I have about 80 works of his and would like to see them published as a collection. Do you have any suggestions? hgayallen@hgayallen.com