~VISITING IVY GREEN - Childhood Home of Helen Keller~

ENTRANCE TO IVY GREEN

Ever since I sat in Mr. Whalen's English class in the 7th grade and given the assignment of writing a report on the life of Miss Helen Keller I've dreamed of visiting her childhood home. 

 YOUNG HELEN KELLER

Lovingly named, Ivy Green, by her grandparents when originally built back in 1820, it only took me about 38 years to make my way to the beautiful plot of land first made popular by a little girl who could neither see nor hear.

STANDING BY THE FRONT GATE

I don't know when it was that I first became fascinated with the story of  Helen Keller.  Maybe it was while watching a very young Patty Duke and Ann Bancroft in the movie The Miracle Worker with my mother back in the mid 1960's.

 ANN BANCROFT as Annie Sullivan

PATTY DUKE as Helen Keller

The Miracle Worker - 1962

Or, maybe the seed of curiosity was planted as a result of reading a couple of simple books about her life several years before my written assignment.  I can only tell you for certain that from as far back as my mind can go I've wanted to understand more about the triumphs of Helen Keller and the miracle that became the basis for the story of her life.

MAIN ENTRANCE

And so...about ten days ago my Mr. AGPMan and I backed away from our Oklahoma home and began the 11 hour drive that would take us to Northern Alabama and to a beautiful little town called Tuscumbia...

 BEAUTIFUL and RESERVED

Even though my hubby and I knew ahead of time the House, which held a tiny museum, was closed on Sundays, we decided to drive from the town of Florence (where we stayed in a Bed and Breakfast) to Tuscumbia just the same.  It was only about 8 miles away and we both wanted to scout out the town and snoop around the grounds. We returned the next day to actually tour the inside of the house and to snap photos!

LONG BEFORE BECOMING A MUSEUM

I love comparing the old pictures with the ones taken the day of our visit.  So much has changed and yet so much is still the same.  In 2020 the house will celebrate it's 200th birthday.

BUILT FOR CAPTAIN KELLER'S BRIDE

This charming little two-room structure was built as a 'bridal suite' for Helen's mother when she married her father, Captain Keller.  It was the very place Helen was born and also the dwelling where both she and her teacher, Annie Sullivan, would later reside during the early days of Helen's learning.

 BEAUTIFUL INSIDE

 

 BACK PLAY AREA

 

VINTAGE PHOTO of WATER PUMP

I found it very interesting that the water pump has stayed in it's original place.  A gazebo has been built over it but it's position has never changed.

WATER PUMP GAZEBO

Another thing I found very interesting was that the kitchen and cook's quarters were not in the main house.  They were housed in a separate building out back in order to avoid the possibility of a house fire.

KITCHEN and COOK'S QUARTERS

ORIGINAL BRICK OVEN and COOKWARE

I've decided I'm never ever going to complain again about my modern kitchen!  I can't even imagine having to cook in a place like this!

COOK'S ROOM

LIVING ROOM

We were told that about 80% of the furniture and furnishings in the home actually belonged to the Kellers.  I find this amazing!

LOOKING INTO HELEN'S ROOM

ANNIE SULLIVAN'S BED

HELEN'S BED
(Before moving next door)

Tomorrow I will show you the remaining pictures of the inside of the house and also a place on the property where a play about Helen's life is performed during the Summer months of June and July.


I'm off to finish up some Christmas Ornaments that I'll be uploading to my website later today!


Thank you for visiting and allowing me to share my heart with yours...


Love to you~