Tag Archives: Joel Chandler Harris

Uncle Remus Museum, 1963, Eatonton

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Constructed from derelict slave dwellings, the Uncle Remus Museum opened in Eatonton in 1963. Its location, Turner Park, was the boyhood homeplace of Joseph Sidney Turner, the inspiration for the “little boy” to whom “Uncle Remus” relayed all his critter stories in Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings (1880) and later works. Turner’s father, Joseph Addison Turner, owned Turnwold Plantation where Harris apprenticed as a teenager during the Civil War. A reconstructed blacksmith shop is also located in the park.

Carvings of many of the animal characters populate the grounds, which are a delight to walk around. These wood sculptures by Chris Lantz are a wonderful addition to the property. And forgive me if I confuse Bre’r Fox and Bre’r Wolf.

Bre’r Fox

Bre’r Wolf

Bre’r Bear

Bre’r Tarrypin

And last, but certainly not least, Bre’r Rabbit.

A statue, like the one on the Putnam County courthouse lawn, is also located on the grounds. It suffered a stolen ear and pipe a few years ago, but was restored.

Turnwold, Early 1800s , Putnam County

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Located on private property and inaccessible, Turnwold is among the most historic plantations in Georgia. Likely dating to the 1810s-1820s, the present house, known as the Alexander-Turner House, has undergone many modifications over the years. [There is some question as to the actual date of the house today]. In 1805, brothers William and Joseph Turner received property here in the 1805 land lottery and immediately began improving the property. William named the broader property, containing two houses, Turnwold (meaning Turner’s field), and Joseph was well-known for publishing The Countryman. It is thought to be the only such periodical published on a plantation during the course of the war. It was as a printer’s devil for Mr. Turner during the Civil War that Joel Chandler Harris heard stories in Turnwold’s slave quarters that would become the basis for his Uncle Remus stories.

Just to emphasize: this is private property and can only be viewed or photographed from the right of way.

 

 

Brer Rabbit Statue, Eatonton

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This statue of Brer Rabbit on the courthouse lawn is one of two in Eatonton, the other being located at the nearby Uncle Remus Museum. It’s one of the most colorful and unique monuments in Georgia. The community embraces Joel Chandler Harris but to its credit equally promotes Alice Walker. I think they’re just proud to claim two world famous authors, no matter how far apart they are on the spectrum.

The whimsical statue stands atop a granite pillar, with the epigram: Brer Rabbit – Born and Bred in the Briar Patch – He Survives Forever by His Wit, His Courage and His Cunning.

Eatonton Historic District, National Register of Historic Places