About Us
Mission
By preserving the legacy of Joel Chandler Harris and the heritage of African American folklore through storytelling, tours and special events, the Wren’s Nest serves as an educational resource and entertainment venue for the community, the greater Atlanta area and visitors from around the globe.
Staff
The Wren's Nest employs one full-time executive director, one full-time program director, and 2 part-time docents.
Interested in volunteering? Don't hesitate to contact Amelia (amelia@wrensnestonline.com). What about an internship? Shoot Lain (lain@wrensnestonline.com) an email.
Amelia Trace Lerner, Program Director
Amelia has a B.A. in Comparative Literature from Indiana University and a Master's degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Connecticut, but this Yankee's greatest accomplishment lies in consistently finding reasons to write about the Wren's Nest's bathroom on our blog.
Between her roles as heartless overlord of our summer publishing program and authority on all things rock candy, Amelia still finds time to respond to your emails, no matter how trifling they may be. Her favorite movie from the 1980s is The Princess Bride and her favorite storyteller is Curtis.
You should follow Amelia on Twitter here. Feel free to email her (amelia@wrensnestonline.com), too.
Jeri McWilliams, Docent
Jeri is a native Atlantan, originally hailing from the mighty Dixie Hills neighborhood. She's given tours at the Wren's Nest for more than eight years.
In her spare time, Jeri enjoys volunteering in the community, from exciting events (the Vine City Boys and Girls Club Christmas Party!) to necessary-yet-perhaps-not-so-glamorous tasks (voter registration).
Jeri accepts sass from nobody and tells it like it is, honey (see especially: when visitors are insulting). Her favorite movie from the 1980s is Clash of the Titans. She was into Clash well before the updated version came out. Honey, please.
Email Jeri here.
Lain Shakespeare, Executive Director
Lain is the great-great-great grandson of Joel Chandler Harris. When the Wren's Nest needed help from someone young and naïve, he was just unemployed enough to be lured into the job.
Lain has a B.A. in English from Kenyon College and has extensive experience in managing and coaching swim teams, otherwise known as yelling at small children.
Lain has worn a suit at least once, when he received the Jenny D. Thurston Memorial Award from the Atlanta Urban Design Commission. He hasn't shut up about it since. His favorite movie from the 1980s is either Ferris Bueller's Day Off or Do the Right Thing. Lain's favorite storyteller is Akbar.
You should follow Lain on Twitter here. You can also email him (lain@wrensnestonline.com) anytime you'd like.
Nannie Thompson, Docent
Nannie has given tours at the Wren's Nest since 1999 and has served as official Wren's Nest housekeeper since 1996. Nannie knows more about the house than anyone and dares any one of y'all to prove her wrong. She is something of a Wren's Nest celebrity.
Before her time at the Wren's Nest, Nannie managed her husband's restaurant, Fred's, for 28 years. Nannie's favorite movie from the 1980s is Kindergarten Cop, and she doesn't care if it was actually released in 1990. Her favorite storyteller is Woodie.
Email Nannie here (though in truth, Nannie does not fool with computers or anything newfangled. But if you send her an email, we'll give her the message.).
Board
Our board comprises 12 individuals from diverse backgrounds. They share a passion for historic preservation, the legacy of Joel Chandler Harris, and the heritage of African-American folklore.
| Janice Andrews Capitol City Bank |
Sherry Mallory Global Media Enterprises |
Bruce Bickley Florida State University |
Handy Johnson Retired, Georgia Department of Natural Resources |
Nancy Boardman Validate Systems |
Jeffrey Robinson J.W. Robinson and Associates |
Khaatim El United Way |
Marshall Thomas Resurgens Risk Management |
Jodi Florence IDology Inc. |
|
Hunter Groton BNY Mellon |
Harold Yudelson Retired, Thank Goodness |
Financials
In case you're wondering about how we do business, feast your eyes on our 990s and statements of review. Mmmh, numbers.
| 2007 990 (.pdf) | 2007 Statement of Review (.pdf) |
| 2008 990 (.pdf) |