The Persistence of Strangers and Some Southern Hospitality

Mr. Gillette distributed copies of a tattered novel to each student in my tenth grade English class. I turned the book over in my hand, enjoying the delicious anticipation of being enveloped in a new literary world. The cover, featuring a pocket watch and ball of yarn nestled in the knothole of a tree, offered little information about the story I would encounter between the covers of the book. The title seemed equally enigmatic. I broke the cardinal rule of reading; I judged the book by its cover. I decided this book wasn't for me before I even turned to the first page. 

I had no idea how much To Kill a Mockingbird would move me as I sat at my desk in tenth grade. I had no idea that I would stay up late every night until I finished the book, absorbed in the world of Maycomb County and its residents. I had no idea that I would reread the book almost every year, eager to rejoin Scout and Jem in their sleepy southern town. I had no idea that I would eventually teach the novel to my own students when I became a teacher. And I had no idea that I would eventually visit Monroeville, Alabama, Harper Lee's hometown. 

We decided to stop by Monroeville on our way to Florida last week. And by "stop by" I mean travel several hours out of our way to visit the Old Courthouse Museum. (I still can't believe I talked Will into making the trek to Monroeville. I have the best husband!) When we arrived at the Old Courthouse Museum, we were greeted by a very kind woman ... who informed us that the museum was closed! My heart sank. The woman must have seen my disappointment because she let us tour the museum even though it was closed! We soon learned that another teacher was visiting Monroeville, hoping to tour the museum. When he discovered that it was closed, he was devastated. His wife, armed with a great deal of perseverance, called several people in Monroeville until she reached the museum curator who agreed to open the museum just for them. We happened to arrive at the same time the curator was expecting the other couple, so we were invited to tour the museum as well. What a treat it was to stand in the courthouse! I truly felt as if I had stepped into Maycomb County! 

Thank goodness for the persistence of strangers and Southern hospitality!

The set designer for the film version of To Kill a Mockingbird used this courthouse as a model for the courtroom in which Atticus fights on behalf of Tom Robinson. 

Such a beautiful building! 

A view of the courtroom from the judge's bench

Jem and Scout sat in the balcony during the trial.