11 In Alabama/ Travel

F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum- Montgomery, Alabama

Shockingly enough, (to you guys and the really nice man who owned and ran this museum) the F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum was the only reason that I decided to drive a couple hours north and out of the way to Montgomery.  Simply because, this museum is the only one of its kind.

IMG_8911

The museum is inside a beautiful house that Scott and Zelda lived in for about 6 months.  The museum is filled with amazing flapper memorabilia made and worn by Zelda, family photos, first editions and other writings from Scott, the second largest collection of Zelda’s paintings, letters and so much more!

IMG_8851

This is the main room of the museum.  All the paintings on the walls were painted by Zelda.  She was a very talented artist, and had she not died at such a young age, she would have been one of the great American painters of her time.

IMG_8853

A first edition of the very first story Scott ever wrote.

IMG_8855

An absolutely beautiful portrait of Zelda Fitzgerald.

IMG_8859

Zelda made this beautiful flapper headband herself!  Scott and Zelda were the first “pop stars” ever.  After Scott’s success of his first novel, the Fitzgeralds became partiers: literally, drinking and eating their fortunes away.

IMG_8862

The collection of the Saturday Evening Post Articles

IMG_8867

A Self Portrait by Zelda Fitzgerald

IMG_8874

I had a bit of a moment with this letter.  This is a letter from Scott to ERNEST HEMMINGWAY!  Holy cow!  They also had Hemmingway’s response typed up next too it!  It was so cool to get a look into their real friendship. I seriously had a moment….  

IMG_8879

IMG_8880

IMG_8883

Some more of Zelda’s beautiful artwork

IMG_8885

A really cute letter from Zelda to Scott while they were dating.

IMG_8888

More of the letter signed affectionately ‘Sweetheart’

IMG_8893

This was one of my favorite paintings by Zelda

IMG_8894

IMG_8900

An early edition of The Great Gatsby before it was titled The Great Gatsby- this edition was Trimalchio (one of many titles before ‘The Great Gatsby’

IMG_8902

Inside that early edition

IMG_8907

Stamp collection

It  was so cool to step back in time and see the way the Fitzgeralds lived through their photos, letters, art and more.  This is a museum that, although it was small, was full of amazing information.  It was also affordable: $5 for adults $2 for students.  If you love the Fitzgeralds, or even the 1920’s, I highly recommend adding this museum to your Montgomery must-see list.

For more posts and travel articles I find interesting ‘like’ the For the Love of Wanderlust page on Facebook. Simply click HERE.

You Might Also Like

11 Comments

  • Reply
    The English Professor at Large
    April 11, 2014 at 11:28 am

    Thank you for sharing this discovery and taking us for a tour. I hadn’t realized Zelda’s art was as good as it is. It has always been my feeling that “The Great Gatsby” is truly the definitive American novel. I taught it to my classes for forty years and always found something new each time.

    • Reply
      PaigeBrown
      April 12, 2014 at 10:01 pm

      Thank you for reading! I hadn’t realized her art was that good either. I knew she was an artist, but she was a bit of a dabbler, so I figured it was decent, but I loved it! I love The Great Gatsby and also find something new each time I read it!

  • Reply
    equinoxio21
    April 11, 2014 at 5:10 pm

    Hi Paige. Great post. I didn’t know “sweet southern belle” Zelda could paint or draw.
    And quite well. (As surprised as the english professor!
    Have you seen MIdnight in Paris? If you haven’t, rent it.
    Au revoir
    Brian

    • Reply
      PaigeBrown
      April 12, 2014 at 10:05 pm

      She was quite talented, wasn’t she? I have seen Midnight in Paris, in fact it’s one of my favorites! Such a fun idea! (I’d be back int the 1920’s with The Fitzgeralds, Hemmingway and Dali! How about you?

      • Reply
        equinoxio21
        April 21, 2014 at 7:59 pm

        Any time! That was great (movie) writing!
        (And you do have quite a lot of favourite movies!) Love the Big fish, too. Amazing trip that one. Have a lovely week.
        Brian

        • Reply
          PaigeBrown
          April 21, 2014 at 8:02 pm

          I do have so many favorites! I have to categorize by “Top 3” “Top 10” and “Top 20”! Haha. It’s a bit ridiculous! 😉
          I hope you have a really great week as well!

          • equinoxio21
            April 22, 2014 at 11:14 am

            Then go up to “Top 50”!
            🙂
            Be good
            Brian

  • Reply
    Kamila Pala
    April 12, 2014 at 4:14 am

    Hello! I agree with Brian – great and interesting post – and Midnight in Paris is pretty good movie…! Have a nice weekend.

    • Reply
      PaigeBrown
      April 12, 2014 at 10:09 pm

      Thanks for reading and the compliment! Hope you have a nice weekend as well!

  • Reply
    kitschandsabina
    April 13, 2014 at 11:45 am

    Thanks for giving me a reason to someday actually visit Montgomery, Alabama–no, scratch that, a reason to visit Alabama (just kidding).

    This museum looks fantastic. I’m so happy there are other people out there who think driving hours out of their way to visit a literary museum is completely worth it…!

    http://someoneelsesfiction.wordpress.com/

    • Reply
      PaigeBrown
      April 20, 2014 at 4:18 pm

      Haha! I have to admit neither were really high on my list, but it’s like anywhere else… I always find some hidden gems that make me fall in love with a random city or region.

      It is a really fantastic museum- definitely worth a visit! Thanks for reading!

    Join the Conversation!

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.