Joel Chandler Harris House
Encyclopedia
Joel Chandler Harris House, also known as The Wren's Nest or Snap Bean Farm, is a Queen Anne style farmhouse in Atlanta, Georgia
built in 1870. It was home to Joel Chandler Harris
, editor of the Atlanta Constitution and author of the Uncle Remus Tales
, from 1881 until his death in 1908. He is most known as author of the "Uncle Remus
" tales, based upon stories he heard slaves tell during his youth.
The home still contains furnishings owned by Harris and utilizes the original paint colors. The house became known as Wren's Nest in 1900 after the Harris children found a wren
had built a nest in the mail box; the family built a new mailbox in order to leave the nest undisturbed. The structure was designated a National Historic Landmark
in 1962.
The organization that maintains the Wren's Nest offers tours and sponsors a storytelling festival but struggles to raise its $120,000 annual budget due in large part to the negative perception of Harris's portrayals of the old South.
It is located at 1050 Ralph D. Abernathy Blvd., SW, formerly named 1050 Gordon Street., SW.
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
built in 1870. It was home to Joel Chandler Harris
Joel Chandler Harris
Joel Chandler Harris was an American journalist, fiction writer, and folklorist best known for his collection of Uncle Remus stories. Harris was born in Eatonton, Georgia, where he served as an apprentice on a plantation during his teenage years...
, editor of the Atlanta Constitution and author of the Uncle Remus Tales
Uncle Remus
Uncle Remus is a fictional character, the title character and fictional narrator of a collection of African American folktales adapted and compiled by Joel Chandler Harris, published in book form in 1881...
, from 1881 until his death in 1908. He is most known as author of the "Uncle Remus
Uncle Remus
Uncle Remus is a fictional character, the title character and fictional narrator of a collection of African American folktales adapted and compiled by Joel Chandler Harris, published in book form in 1881...
" tales, based upon stories he heard slaves tell during his youth.
The home still contains furnishings owned by Harris and utilizes the original paint colors. The house became known as Wren's Nest in 1900 after the Harris children found a wren
Wren
The wrens are passerine birds in the mainly New World family Troglodytidae. There are approximately 80 species of true wrens in approximately 20 genera....
had built a nest in the mail box; the family built a new mailbox in order to leave the nest undisturbed. The structure was designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1962.
The organization that maintains the Wren's Nest offers tours and sponsors a storytelling festival but struggles to raise its $120,000 annual budget due in large part to the negative perception of Harris's portrayals of the old South.