Thurber House!

Yesterday Katie invited me to a "secret destination" in Columbus. I had no idea where we were going until we pulled off Broad Street in the heart of downtown. And then I knew: Thurber House! For years I've wanted to visit this home of James Thurber, born in Columbus in 1894.

"James Thurber was an American author, cartoonist and celebrated wit. Thurber was best known for his cartoons and short stories, published mainly in The New Yorker magazine then collected in his numerous books. One of the most popular humorists of his time, Thurber celebrated the comic frustrations and eccentricities of ordinary people." [Wikipedia]


We learned all sorts of interesting tidbits about Thurber while wandering through the house. His mother was a born comedian, thus Thurber's skillful wit. His father sometimes slept with the dogs in an alcove off the living room, presumably to escape his family. And Thurber lost an eye from his brother's mis-aimed bow and arrow. The Thurbers lived in this home during his years at Ohio State University ... they lived in a dozen other houses around Columbus over the years, too. The attic was made into an apartment for "writers in residence."



Posing pointlessly in an upstairs hallway.

Imagine writing on this ... Thurber's typewriter.
(I love how Katie, the photographer, simply pulled a curtain open so I'd have
enough light for this photo.)

Dozens of writers have visited here, and their photos hang on the stairway.

Then it was on to the North Market across town where we sampled some delicious Jeni's ice cream.

Best of all was an afternoon spent with my thoughtful daughter who planned the outing!