ivy green

Alison8641

Helen Keller is a hero of mine and I was very excited to visit her childhood home. The house is quite small but filled with many of her personal belongings. My sister and I were the only ones there so we were allowed to really poke around. The information the docents gave us was adequate about the highlights of her life. I do wish there was more information given about her politics but I think the focus was on her as a child. The grounds are open to walk around in ending with a display of some of her thousands of awards. Well worth the small entrance fee.

Ossie0cil

Ivy Greene, birthplace of Helen Keller, is visited by thousands of people from the U.S. and foreign countries as well. Schools bus children there for the historical lessons and tour buses are on a must see list. I live across the street from this beautiful property (Keller Lane) and its a tradition to visit during the Christmas season -- free of charge on a Sunday afternoon. The Tennessee Valley Art Center is just up the street (also free tours on Sundays) and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame is located a mile away on Hwy. 72 West. Big Spring Park is another stop where the largest man-made waterfall is absolutely gorgeous with a water show in the evening.

BobP620

We stopped here more for my wife's interest than for my own, but I was very impressed with the scope of the exhibits and the impact they had. The house is meticulously kept and unlike so many other places that are full of "period" or "reproduction" furnishings, almost everything here is original. I'm not sure why, but that seemed to make a big difference. February is clearly not the most scenic time to visit, but the grounds were still very nice. The docent gave a good overview of the story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan and was willing and able to answer visitor's questions. All in all a stop one should not miss if you have an hour or more to experience it.

BethB748

The well where she learned Water. Many mentos and awards of her life to see inside the home. There is the festival the week of her Birthday June 27. Also the play in the back lawn. Tuscumbia where the home is located, is filled with lovely old homes.

Raineybeth

This is a great historic place for families to visit and a must see for locals and visitors. There is a lot of history to relive here. A definite to put on the bucket list.

59jackyb

The house and grounds are well-maintained and the brief tour was well-done. I would have preferred a little more biographical information during the tour about her life after college. The video in the Lion's Club exhibit was fascinating. There is no play presented this time of year, so I cannnot comment on that.

Secondtimothy

You can't help but be inspired from your visit here. You will get closer to the immortal Helen Keller than you can possibly imagine. You get to walk through the home of her birth. The memorabilia on the wall is amazing. And the staff is super helpful. You go through on your own or they will answer any questions you might have. You could spend 30 minutes here or 4 hours if you really have an interest. Bring the kids so they can be inspired to know that there are no limits to the human potential regardless of the obstacles put in our way. This place is so humble in its appearance.

343randyc

We were traveling from Nashville two Muscle Shoals, Alabama, to meet some friends and here some great music and on the way we past by Helen Kellers house. If you get a chance you should stop in, a lot of History there about Alabama and Helen Keller. Take the tour, we took it it was free it was great!

camacita202

I have been visiting Ivy Green many times over the years of my life, since we have family in Tuscumbia. We recently went back, and it was still just as special as I remembered it. It is an easy detour off of Hwy 72. The folks that work there are wonderful and have so much insight into not only Helen Keller's life, but what life was like for families in that point in history. I also highly recommend going in the summer time and seeing The Miracle Worker. Ivy Green and Helen Keller will always hold a special place in my heart because of my visits there. Such a special place!

bradb_13

we took a 2.5 hour detour out of our way to visit Ivy Green and learn more aobut Helen Keller. We are so glad we did. I just wish our 11 year old grandchildren would have been with us. They only take cash for admittance ($5 or $6 for adults) and at the gift shop. One of the best personal attractions we have visited in the USA. Highly recommed this if you have any interest in Keller. We spent about an hour but didn't rush. Climbing stairs is required only if you wish to see the upstairs bedroom of Sullivan which is interesting to understand the teaching of keller.

Tonyguitar

I cannot believe that Helen Keller was able to do all the things she was able to do without being able to hear or see. It humbles one to think we are normal and complain about everything, but she was born with a 1000 strikes against her, and was able to overcome everything. Her birthplace is beautiful and well maintained. Loved it!

pamb835

Just the name was always enough to make me want to go and take friends and family. The story of the life of Hellen Keller is true and choked full of emotion and the guides give you some really good foundation material once you get there...then you can wander through her humble home and see some of the artifacts from her life.If you have young children who have yet to hear the story of Hellen Keller...this is a fantastic place to take them and they will get so much more than they would just reading about her from a book. And if you love history this will make for a great visit.

onemissannie

There seem to be 2 www.tripadvisor.com sites for Helen Keller's birthplace....IVY GREEN and HELEN KELLER BIRTHPLACE AND OUTDOOR PLAY, "THE MIRACLE WORKER". They are located on the same grounds. I'll post this review to both.We enjoyed our tour which started with a docent giving us a tour of the first floor of the family home. She pointed out the adjacent building where Helen Keller was actually born. We then continued the tour of the home and gardens on our own. This included the upstairs bedrooms of the home with furniture original to the family home. Outside, you can wander through the gardens to see the ice house and water pump that helped Helen Keller learn how words corresponded to items.In the summer, "The Miracle Worker" play is done on the grounds and the backdrops for the play are in the back yard.Make sure you stop to see the "Moon Tree" in the backyard which started from a seed that flew to the moon and back in 1971.We spent about an hour on the grounds and certainly recommend visiting this site. We got a AAA discount for our admission.

deserttraveler2014

We visited Ivy Green in October 2014. I knew the story of Helen Keller, but it was an altogether different experience actually being in her home. What an amazing woman and life.

192donnae

Since I was a young girl I have always admired Helen Keller and finally had the opportunity to visit this corner of Alabama. It was everything I remembered from the book and also a step back into history. There was no indoor plumbing, bathrooms or water in this elegant house. It was great to see things I recollected from books I had read such as the key she use to lock Annie in her room.I'm glad I got to spend time there.