Thurber House facts for kids
|
James Thurber House
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
Front of the house
|
|
| Location | 77 Jefferson Ave., Columbus, Ohio |
|---|---|
| Built | 1873 |
| Part of | Jefferson Avenue Historic District |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001840 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | November 8, 1979 |
Welcome to the Thurber House! This special place in Columbus, Ohio, used to be the home of a famous writer and cartoonist named James Thurber. Today, it's a lively center for anyone who loves to read or write. The Thurber House helps people learn about books and writing, supports talented authors, and celebrates all the amazing things James Thurber created. It's even recognized as an important historic building!
Contents
James Thurber's Early Life and Inspirations
James Thurber was born in Columbus, Ohio. His family rented the house on Jefferson Avenue when he was a student. They lived there from 1913 until 1917. These years were very important for Thurber. He later wrote about his time in the house in his book My Life and Hard Times.
Spooky Stories from the House
Thurber once said he saw a ghost in the house! This happened on November 17, 1915. This spooky event inspired his famous short story, "The Night the Ghost Got In." Another funny story, "The Night the Bed Fell," also came from things that happened in this very house. Imagine living in a place that inspired such tales!
College Days and New Friends
Life at The Ohio State University was a bit tough for young James. He had poor eyesight, which made some classes, like gym, very hard. He also found it difficult to make friends at first. He even stopped going to some classes and didn't do well. But things changed when he met Elliott Nugent, a former child star. Elliott helped James become more confident and social.
Becoming a Writer and Cartoonist
Thanks to Elliott's help, James started to shine. He became a co-editor for the school newspaper. Later, he edited the campus humor magazine. These experiences helped him discover his talent for writing and drawing. James left college in 1918 during World War I. He worked for a local newspaper, The Columbus Dispatch, before moving to New York City. In 1927, he joined The New Yorker magazine. He worked there for many years, sharing his unique humor and drawings with the world. Even though he moved away, Columbus always stayed in his heart and his stories.
Exploring the Thurber House Museum
The Thurber House opened as a museum in 1984. It was carefully restored to look just like it did when the Thurber family lived there. When you visit, you can explore the first two floors. You'll see rooms like the parlor, living room, and dining room. There are also five bedrooms and a bathroom.
What You Can See and Do
Unlike some museums, Thurber House lets you get hands-on! You can sit on the chairs and even play the piano. In the parents' bedroom, you'll find changing displays of Thurber's belongings. These often include his famous drawings that appeared on New Yorker magazine covers. It's a great way to feel like you've stepped back in time!
A Center for Arts and Learning
Thurber House is part of a special area called The Jefferson Center for Learning and the Arts. This block has many beautiful old Victorian homes. These homes are now used by groups that help with culture and community services.
Fun Events and Programs for Everyone
Since becoming a museum, Thurber House has become a popular spot. It brings together readers, writers, and fans of James Thurber. They offer many programs for both kids and adults. These include author visits, writing workshops, and events celebrating Thurber's life.
Meet Your Favorite Authors
The "Evenings with Authors" series is very exciting. Famous writers from all over the country visit Thurber House. They read from their books and meet with fans. Past guests have included authors like John Updike and Tracy Chevalier.
Writers in Residence Programs
Thurber House also welcomes two special writers each year. These are the John E. Nance Writer-in-Residence and the Children's Writer-in-Residence. The adult writer lives in the house for four weeks. The children's writer teaches at the Thurber House Summer Writing Camp. They help young writers improve their skills.
Celebrating Humor and Young Talent
The annual Thurber Prize for American Humor is a big deal! It's the top award for humor writing in the United States. Thurber House also has amazing programs just for kids. The Thurber Summer Writing Camp and the "Writing Wizards" winter program have helped many young people become better writers.
