Ivy Green the Helen Keller Birthplace and Home Tuscumbia, AL

Few things in this life bring more pure joy to me than my children.  The excitement and laughter generated from a child as he or she learns and explores the world around them can be mesmerizing.  On our recent road trip, I had just such an opportunity in, of all places, Tuscumbia, Alabama.

My daughter completed a biography report as part of her big second grade project this year.  She chose as her subject, Helen Keller.  For two months we immersed ourselves in the life and circumstances of this extraordinary woman.

It was during our research for the project that we learned of the obscure little area in the northwest corner of Alabama and the birthplace of Ms. Keller, Ivy Green in the little town of Tuscumbia.  The home was built in 1820 by David and Mary Fairfax Moore Keller, the grandparents of Helen Keller and was once part of a 640 acre tract of farmland.  Toady the seven room cottage appears much as it did those many years ago containing most of the original furnishings.

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Wardrobe containing some of Helen Keller's dresses

It’s not big, especially when compared to the way the home has been portrayed in movies like The Miracle Worker.  I suppose I wasn’t prepared for that.  The first floor of the main house has but 4 rooms and the upstairs 3 connected by a small hallway. Typical of the times, the kitchen was in a separate building out back.

The Kitchen and Cooks Bedroom at the Helen Keller Birthplace and Home

The little old women who served as our tour guides were about as pleasant as you could ask.  They were also the embodiment of what one pictures in a southern belle.  They were more than willing to answer Zoë’s endless questions and proved a wealth of information.

The actual birthplace cottage sits just east of the main house and is comprised simply of a large bedroom and a playroom.  The cottage also served as living quarters to Helen and her teacher, Annie Sullivan.

The Helen Keller Birthplace Cottage

The grounds are well manicured with huge old oak trees, magnolias, English box-woods and numerous other trees, bushes and flowers.  There are garden areas and dioramas representing many of the countries Helen visited during her lifetime.

The Lawn and Gardens at Ivy Green

The greatest thrill for Zoë (as well as the rest of my children) was to stand at the actual well-pump where Helen first learned the word w-a-t-e-r and what it meant.  I beamed when Zoë proclaimed, “My report just came to life!”

Zoë and the well-pump at the Helen Keller Birthplace and Home

The Helen Keller Birthplace at Ivy Green is located at 300 W. North Commons in Tuscumbia, AL and is open daily 8:30 am to 4:00pm (1:00-4:00pm on Sundays).  Admission is $6 for adults, $2 for children 5-12.  On weekends during June through late July the play “The Miracle Worker” by William Gibson is performed on the grounds and has been for over 30 years.  From what I’ve heard and read, it is not to be missed.  Contact the Helen Keller Birthplace for ticket information and times.  (888) 329-2124

There is also a week long festival each summer, The Helen Keller Festival, that commemorates her life and her accomplishments.  There are parades, art auctions, stage entertainment, tours of historic sites and more.  This year’s festival is scheduled for June 22-28, 2009.

Sally, Conrad and Cat (Photo Universal Studios/Dreamworks)

Like Sally and “Conroy”, I find myself perched at the living room window moping and watching the inclement weather outside.  But instead of rain, it’s snow and there’s no Cat coming to my rescue.  No, my salvo is a furry rodent named Phil.  Punxsutawney Phil.

This coming Monday is Groundhog Day.  And the only hope I have of lasting another winter in America’s Bitter and Cold-Blooded Heartland lies in hands of what would ordinarily be considered a menace to the farming community.  A freaking Groundhog!  Yep!  You got it.  My will, my resolve to last, is at the mercy of that hairy little critter and whether or not he sees his shadow come February 2.

No shadow and winter can end as it should–soon.  But if that little fur faced demon happens to catch a glimpse of anything long and dark then I’m gonna be needing to fill a prescription.  I’m not so sure I can handle an extra six weeks of Arctic Bliss unaided.

Phil

For over 100 years, the little community in Punxsutawney, just northeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has held special observances on Groundhog Day in a little area known as Gobbler’s Knob.  Though popular in it’s own right, the town and it’s celebrations were made even more so by the movie “Ground Hog Day” starring Bill Murray.  For the life of me, I can’t imagine getting up at 3:00 in the morning to stand in sub zero temperatures for four and a half long hours waiting for a prognosticating rodent to give me a shred of hope that winter will soon be over.  I don’t care how good the hot chocolate is.

Phil’s not the only groundhog in this gig, either. He’s just the most famous.  Here’s a few other groundhogs that you may or may not be aware of.  Of course, if you ask me they all look the same.

• Jimmy the Groundhog of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin , USA
  

  Jimmy

• Wiarton Willie found in Wiarton, Ontario, Canada
  

  Willie

• Staten Island Chuck found in New York City, New York, USA
  

  Chuck

• General Beauregard Lee, PhD found in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
  

  General Lee

• Dunkirk Dave in Dunkirk, New York, USA
  

  Dave

• Malverne Mel and Malverne Melissa found in Malverne, New York, USA
  
  

  Mel

• Brandon Bob of Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
  

  Bob

• Balzac Billy of Balzac, Alberta, Canada
  

  Billy

• Shubenacadie Sam of Shubencadie, Nova Scotia, Canada
  

  Sam

• Gary the Groundhog of Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada
  

  Gary

• Spanish Joe of Spanish Ontario, Canada
  

  Joe

• Sir Walter Wally of Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
  

  Sir Walter

• Pardon Me Pete of Tampa, Florida, USA
  

  Pete

• Octoraro Orphie of Quarryville, Pennsylvania, USA
  

  Orphie

• Holtsville Hal of Holtsville, New York, USA
  

  Hal

• Buckeye Chuck of Marion, Ohio, USA
  

  Chuck

List courtesy of Wikipedia, links by UpTake

I feel certain that the festivities involving each of these fine groundhogs is nothing short of splendid and each town is a treat to visit even without a groundhog day.  Take, Punxsutawney, for instance.  There is  groundhog festival every year around July 4th.

Summer!  Now that’s more likely to be a time you’ll find me visiting.

But right now, it’s winter.  It’s cold.  And I don’t care if you throw in a traditional spam burger with the hot chocolate, nothing is going to drag me out to watch someone wake up a hibernating groundhog predict the weather.  Just tell me what he said.  I’ll make a note of it and then file it with all of my other 63% accurate weather reports.