Have You (Yes, You!) Heard Our Storytellers? They Are a Delight

Here at the Wren's Nest we invite folks for storytelling every Saturday at 1. Kids like it, sure. But truth be told it's the adults who really get a kick out of the performance.

I'm a dedicated fan of Miss Woodie, one of our five Wren's Nest Ramblers. Legend even has it that her voice cures hangovers. Click play and listen for yourself:

The next time you're looking for an authentic experience in Atlanta, trick someone into storytelling at the Wren's Nest. We'll be ready every Saturday at 1 pm.

The Whole Fiasco, the Latest Book by the KIPP Scribes

On Saturday September 3rd the KIPP Scribes celebrated the release of their new bound collection, The Whole Fiasco. It's a book of true family stories written by 23 5th and 6th graders in our neighborhood.

We paired the students to work 1-on-1 with our fantastic volunteers for an hour each week. The Whole Fiasco also features beautiful black and white portraits, thanks to the photographer who never sleeps, Jason Travis.

Want to volunteer the next time we wrangle folks up for a project like this one? Simply email Amber, Program Director of the Year 2011 (presumed).

The Wren's Nest Publishing Co. Proudly Presents Midnight Consumption

The Wren's Nest Publishing Co. is a crew of high school students who meet at the Wren's Nest each summer to create a literary journal from scratch. Their new book is called Midnight Consumption.

Midnight Consumption features the work of 41 high school students from around Atlanta. On Sunday September 4th we hosted a bunch of them to read from their work at our annual Decatur Book Festival literary salon.

Midnight Consumption was available at the Decatur Book Festival, but we sold out in just two days! More copies are on the way.

Everything You've Heard About Uncle Remus Is Wrong

Recently in the media you might have heard a thing or two about the tar baby story or about Brer Rabbit. But what's the deal with Uncle Remus, the character who narrates the Brer Rabbit stories? You'll be surprised to find that everything you've heard about Uncle Remus may very well be wrong.

Remus is a fictional character crafted by Joel Chandler Harris to narrate African American folk tales to a little white boy. But in the process, Remus gives the kid an unusual education. He says things like:

These ideas aren't exactly what you'd expect to hear in children's stories from 19th century Georgia. Discover the whole story about Remus in five easy-reading parts.

Executive Director Lain Shakespeare on 90.1 WABE, Our NPR Station

The other day John Lemley from WABE's "City Cafe" stopped by to talk with our director about memory in museums. Listen to their interview and then come right back here, I'll wait.

The above artifact is totally stupendous (and discussed at length in the interview if you skipped ahead). We got it from the Kingdom of Bavaria. And their heads pop off. Hey stop laughing, I'm serious. I've got pictures!

Volunteer with the Mighty Snap Bean Farmers!

Did you know that the Wren's Nest was called Snap Bean Farm in the 19th century? They weren't just being cute, either. This place really was a 5-acre farm. Check it:

We still have a little less than half of the original 5 acres. Which means we've always got a lot of work to do outside.

This is where we need your help. On the 1st Saturday of the month, Snap Bean Farmers gather at the Wren's Nest to restore, preserve, and spruce up our landscape. You, yes you, can be a Snap Bean Farmer! Read on to sign up and volunteer.

Akbar Imhotep Performs "The Wonderful Tar-Baby Story" in HD

Professor and documentarian Spenser Simrill, Jr. stopped by the other day to record Akbar in action. Take a gander:

That's recently departed Program Director Amelia on Camera 2.

I can't promise that every Saturday at 1 pm we'll have a documentarian filming in sweet, sweet HD, but I can promise you an amazing storytelling performance.

Did you restore your museum called the Wren's Nest?

No? I don't blame you. It costs a lot of money to look this handsome.

Feel free to follow the progress of our $190,000 conservation project from the planning stages (March 2008) to the fancy-pants architectural photos (December 2009).

The before and after pictures are pretty remarkable. Go ahead and check 'em out. I'll wait.