We had planned to visit the Kennesaw Battlefield, but opted instead to travel to The Wren's Nest, the home of author Joel Chandler Harris, best known for his Uncle Remus stories.
The site is named for the fact that birds used to (and apparently still do) build nests in the Harris' mailbox.
The house is pictured at right. For once, we caught a break; December 9th is Harris' birthday, so the site is not only open on a day it's normally closed, but there is also no admission.
If we wanted, we could stay for storytelling sessions, but we were mostly interested in Harris' biography and a tour of the house. At left is the harp player in the front parlor. The schedule of events was posted as follows:"Tours every hour, history every half hour, cider available throughout the day, harp playing intermittently, or whatever actually happens."
At right is the family room, with a round table decked with a wreath for Christmas. If you have very good eyes, you can just make out the picture of Br'er Rabbit on the chair behind the table. (If you don't have good eyes, join the club. And ask to see our trip photos when/if we get home. I have a much better version of this photo on my laptop.)
For the official website, click here.
At left is the dining room. Harris and his wife had nine children, six of whom survived to adulthood.
Below is the girls' room, where the daughters slept. Like the rest of the house, this room is decorated for Christmas in the style of the 1870s.
Joel Chandler Harris and I shared a birthday together. He would have been 167. I turned 51.
By the way, lunch today was at the Q-Time Restaurant, which had a cafeteria-style service and seating. Roast chicken, ribs, beef tips, and vegetables. If you go home hungry, it's your own fault. It's right down the street from the Wren's Nest.
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