Transcript:
Melea Hames: [00:00:02] Welcome back to Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama, part of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network. Today's episode is all about Ivy Green, the birthplace of Helen Keller located in Tuscumbia. Our guest today is Sue Pilkilton from Tuscumbia. She is the executive director at the Birthplace of Helen Keller, a historical museum and the childhood home of America's first lady of courage. Sue's first experience at the birthplace of Helen Keller was for a school project. The following summer, she got a job working at the gift shop, a job that kept her busy through high school. Now she is Executive Director of the museum since 1981 and loves every minute. Right, Sue?
Sue Pilkilton: [00:00:45] Exactly right.
Melea Hames: [00:00:46] Thank you so much for being here. Could you tell us just a little bit more about yourself?
Sue Pilkilton: [00:00:52] Well, I've been married to the same person for 47 years. I have two beautiful children. I have four beautiful grandchildren, so I've been truly blessed. But I've also been so blessed to be able to work in a place where I dearly love to come to work every day. It's more like a mission for me.
Melea Hames: [00:01:11] Yeah. That saying where, “when you love what you do, you never work a day in your life,” right?
Sue Pilkilton: [00:01:16] That's right.
Melea Hames: [00:01:18] You have done such an amazing job there. I mean, people come from all over the world to see Helen Keller's birthplace. That is so cool. Well, tell us about the role that Ivy Green played in Helen's life.
Sue Pilkilton: [00:01:32] Well, of course, as a small child, they had a plantation of 640 acres. She was a normal child until the age of 19 months. Then, of course, she had a very high fever that left her deaf and blind. Helen grew up at Ivy Green until the age of eight. She went to Parkinson's school in Boston. But she would come back every summer and during winter vacations as long as her family lived there. It was a big part of her life growing up.
Melea Hames: [00:02:01] Yeah. Now, when you hear about Helen Keller, you also hear about Anne Sullivan. What role did she play in Helen Keller's life?
Sue Pilkilton: [00:02:10] Well, when you visit the Helen Keller birthplace, we often talk about Anne Sullivan's importance in Helen Keller's life. We really feel that it took the two to make the one. If Anne Sullivan had not arrived in 1887 here in Tuscumbia, I don't think the world would have ever known of Helen Keller. She was the backbone that pushed Helen to do what she did.
Melea Hames: [00:02:33] Yeah. She taught her how to read and write in Braille, correct?
Sue Pilkilton: [00:02:39] She was the one that started spelling things in her hand at a very young age when she arrived here. Of course, later Helen went to school. She learned Braille, and she learned how to communicate. But Anne Sullivan never left her side from the time she arrived here in 1887 until her death in 1936.
Melea Hames: [00:03:00] That is so cool. When did Helen's home become a tourist attraction?
Sue Pilkilton: [00:03:05] The city of Tuscumbia bought the home from the family in the early '50s. 1954, they opened the doors for visitors to tour.
Melea Hames: [00:03:00] Okay. If we visit Ivy Green, what are some of those popular tourist spots that we've got to see?
Sue Pilkilton: [00:03:22] Well, of course, the water pump. That is the most important part of Ivy Green. We often say that that plain black pump speaks many languages because we have thousands of visitors from all over the world each year to come. They may have difficulty understanding us. But when they walk out the back door and they see the pump, they begin to speak in their own language and they start taking photographs. That is a very important focal point of the birthplace.
Melea Hames: [00:03:53] Yeah. Share with us that story that happened there at that pump.
Sue Pilkilton: [00:03:57] Well, Helen Keller, of course, was very unruly for so long because her mom and dad let her just do whatever she wanted to do. She would eat out of everyone's plate. She just did what she wanted to do because they did not know how to cope with a deaf, blind child. But when Anne Sullivan arrived and did not like Helen trying to eat off her plate, so at that time, she decided that she needed to get Helen away from her family, to let her become dependent on her. They put her in a carriage and they drove her all around the 640-acre cotton plantation and brought her right back next door to the main house. Helen thought she was going far away, but she was just actually coming next door.
For two weeks, they stayed there. Helen began to fold her napkins, she began to have nice manners. Then she brought her right back into the main house after two weeks. But what does most children do? They start acting up when they get around their parents. Anne Sullivan took her from the table and took her out to the water pump. She began to spill water into her hand. All of a sudden, it was like her mind opened up. She realized that the coolness that was running off of Anne's hand, spilling into hers was water. That was the breakthrough. That day, she learned over 30 words. Her IQ was over 160.
Melea Hames: [00:05:25] That is so cool. That story gives me chills. I love that.
Sue Pilkilton: [00:05:30] We have a play each summer, we're going into our 62nd year. But when that breakthrough comes at the water pump, I tear up and I know it's coming. But also I see grown men and women cry at the water pump scene. It's very emotional.
Melea Hames: [00:05:49] That just speaks volumes to that story and that moment that, I mean, even you who’s seen it that many times, that it just gets you. That's awesome. Well, you mentioned the Miracle Worker play, tell us about that play.
Sue Pilkilton: [00:06:06] We are the official outdoor drama for the state of Alabama. We have been performing the Miracle Worker on the grounds of Ivy Green since 1961. We have people from all over the world that come each summer to see the play. It runs six weeks, Friday and Saturday evenings. And you know Melea, anyone can put on the play. I've been to New York, and I saw it on Broadway. I was so excited to be there. A little Southern girl seeing a Broadway production, it was a dream come true. But as I sat there and at the end of it, at the water pump, I just did not get the feeling that I get every Friday and Saturday night seeing the play. I couldn't understand why. I thought, “It's such a remarkable story.”
On the flight back home, I thought, why couldn't I get that feeling? Then it hit me. Anyone can put on the play. But at the birthplace of Helen Keller, you experience the play. That's where the miracle took place. No one can take that away from us. I think that's one reason we've been so successful for 62, almost years.
Melea Hames: [00:07:15] Yeah. That is so cool. Like you said, that magic of the play, the experiencing that moment and seeing where it happened. You had a very special guest a few years ago. You want to tell us about that guest and his emotional visit?
Sue Pilkilton: [00:07:34] Well, we have celebrities all the time, that walk through the doors of Ivy Green. Most of them don't want to be recognized. But on that April day, I was in the office, and my hostess buzzed me. She said, "Hey, Steven Tyler is on his way out." I said, "Oh, good, just send him on." She said, "It is THE Stephen Tyler" I looked out the door. I guess I screamed. I didn't remember doing that. But I've got control of myself. I tried to be so professional when I went out to meet him. I shook his hand. I said, "Hi. I'm Sue Pilkilton, the executive director. So glad you're here." He said, "Baby, I heard you scream." I said, "Well, welcome to the south. Nothing like a redneck." He said, "You're not a redneck."
He spent a little over an hour with us, probably besides Patty Duke, the most gracious celebrity we've ever had. He said, they kept telling him we've got to go. He finally looked at him. He said, "Listen, I have always wanted to visit here. I've studied Helen and Anne all my life. I love the story. I'm not leaving until I'm finished." They never reminded him again it was time to leave. But he was a great guest. We really enjoyed having him.
Melea Hames: [00:08:55] Yeah. I guess Steven Tyler leaves when Steven Tyler wants to leave.
Sue Pilkilton: [00:08:59] That’s exactly right. Of course, we wanted him to stay forever. We were going to the cottage, of course, we let him go wherever. He played the organ. He would not remember to pump. It was a pump organ. Every time he would stop pumping, the music would stop and he would look up like, "What am I doing wrong?" That was kind of fun to see as well.
Melea Hames: [00:09:20] That is so cool. Yeah, I remember that, when that happened. So neat. Now, you mentioned Patty Duke came to visit.
Sue Pilkilton: [00:09:29] Patty Duke became the spokesperson for the Helen Keller Birthplace Foundation until her death. But I never will forget walking up the walkway with her. All of a sudden, she took my hand. She was such a petite, I think she was probably four foot nine or so. I had to look down at her and tears was flowing from her face. She said, finally, my spirit has come home. She said, "I owe my acting career to Helen Keller. If I had not played the role of Helen in The Miracle Worker, I would not have been discovered." She said, “So I owe it all to her.”
Melea Hames: [00:10:06] Wow. That is twice now that I've gotten chills from stories that you've told.
Sue Pilkilton: [00:10:11] Now you know why I love my job, Melea.
Melea Hames: [00:10:14] Yes, yes, I can definitely see why now. What other favorite stories do you have about Helen Keller that took place at the house?
Sue Pilkilton: [00:10:25] Well, we often tell when you arrive about the time she locked Anne Sullivan in her bedroom, Captain Keller couldn't find the key. He was so angry, they said he took the ladder and just threw it on the house, which it shook the house and made a vibration. Helen was on the front porch laughing because she could feel the vibration of her daddy being so angry and Anne Sullivan had to climb out the window. Months later, they found the key out by the water pump. She loved to lock doors. She locked her mother in the pantry one day and her mother stayed two hours. She was a little devil from time to time.
Melea Hames: [00:11:09] That's funny. A little personality there, huh? That's funny. Any other stories that stand out?
Sue Pilkilton: [00:11:19] Well, one day, there was a storm and she was in a tree. Anne Sullivan had to climb up the water oak and get her down because the wind and the rain was starting to come. It was a historical tree. In 2015, a tornado came through Ivy Green, a small tornado. It took down the tree, the historical tree. Just so happened, the fall before, a gentleman in Tennessee came and got seedlings from the historical tree. He called me and he said, you're not going to believe this. He said, “The little seedlings that I got last fall,” he said, "We have some beautiful little oak trees. I would like to come and plant a tree in the place of the one that the tornado took down." I said, "Sure." Just so happened my grandson, who was in the second grade at Russell Elementary, his class came. They had the opportunity and the privilege to plant the new tree out in the front yard. The newspaper asked the group, they said, "Well, with the Helen Keller tree being taken down, what are we going to name this tree?" I never would forget my little grandson, who was seven at the time. He said, "Duh, we're going to call it the Anne Sullivan tree." Now we have the Anne Sullivan tree out front, and it's beautiful. Things happen all the time that really, truly bring back a lot of memories to me.
Melea Hames: [00:12:55] That is so cool. Your grandson, that's perfect, perfect name there. Tell us, what is your favorite part about working at the Helen Keller home?
Sue Pilkilton: [00:13:06] I think my favorite part is coming to work every day and meeting the visitors. We have so many people from all over the world that visit each day at the birthplace. We're so fortunate. COVID, it was devastating to everyone. But at the Helen Keller birthplace, being a 501 C3, we have to rely on people walking through our door. When the governor closed us down, we had 125 field trips scheduled March through May, and we would book probably 30 more field trips. You're looking at thousands of children. Even though I worked every day in my office, I counted my blessings that I was able to work and get some things done. But I began to see the financial strain that it was going to take, with just the field trips. We lost over $150,000 in just admission revenue during the close down because of the schools.
But coming to work every day, being able to visit with the people that come through, getting their reaction, so many times, we have people that, they found out that their son or daughter's deaf, have become deaf or blind, or born that way. They come for inspiration. We want Helen's story to always be there, to be able to be an inspiration to everyone. I just love it. I love telling the story and realizing that Helen Keller's work is still being done today. Many people say how. Well, in 1925, she went to Lions International National and she asked them to become the Knights for the Blind. At that time, the Lions took on the challenge. The work you see Lions Clubs doing today, around the world with their sight program is because of Helen Keller. Her work is still being done.
Melea Hames: [00:15:01] That is so cool. There's also a Camp Courage that you all do in the summertime, is that correct?
Sue Pilkilton: [00:15:08] Last year, COVID got us again. We brought it up to the spring. Each summer, we invite children from all over the United States to come to a free camp. We have sponsors. They come on Thursday and they leave on Sunday. They do pottery, candle making, they’d go fishing with a local basting. They have fun days on the farm. We have a Luau farm. The parents are not allowed to come during the day. We learned after the first year. Parents, we have things for you to do. We partner with the University of North Alabama, the students there, that's going into special education. Then we have the Helen Keller fellows, teachers that have their doctorates in that field. They come. The children stay in the ColdWater Inn located here in Tuscumbia. Many of the children come from low-income backgrounds, they've never been in a hotel.
For example, this past April when we had Camp Courage, one of the little girls, she lives with her grandparents and they live in government housing. When Jennifer walked in and saw the cold water, and she said "Memaw, we're at a mansion." We all kind of smiled, didn't want to laugh. Then the grandmother told me that she went up to the room and she said, “Memaw, do I get to have my own bed?" Because she shares a bed with her brother and sister. Now, those things, we take for granted. I know my grandchildren do and my children. But for them to be able to go and have a nice bed to sleep in, instead of the floor or on the couch. The pottery, they do pottery. We had it fired and we usually send it for Christmas for them to give their parents. They do candles using the sense of magnolia and roses because Helen Keller often talked about that. They'll make a special candle for their mother.
In the beginning, we noticed that the children were taking at the dinner table. It was like taking a knife and cutting their meal in two and they wanted to take it with them. Well, we couldn't understand why. But actually, they thought they were taking it to their parents to eat. We would now say, "Now listen, mom and dad, they have all the food they want. You all just eat what you want." You'd be surprised how well their appetite kicks in when they realize that they don't have to share their food with their mom and dad. But it's a wonderful experience. On Saturday night, we have a beautiful banquet. Tammy can tell you, there's not a dry eye at that banquet by the time the children get to their testimony. Also, the UNA students, it's really something to experience.
Melea Hames: [00:18:04] What a beautiful experience. I'm sure it's good for the parents as well to have a support group where they can talk about the struggles that they have as well, while the kids are getting --.
Sue Pilkilton: [00:18:15] Some people come and say, “We haven't been by ourselves in nine years,” or “We didn't know about that law.” We have a professor at UNA. She comes in and has a class for the parents on Friday and tells them about grants and about laws, and they have lunch. Then we give them coupons to go to the museums, different museums around, while we are taking care of their children. That's very important.
Melea Hames: [00:18:45] Yeah. That is so cool. Such an amazing experience for everyone. I know even for you who put it on, that it's amazing to see.
Sue Pilkilton: [00:18:55] It's a blessing. It really is.
Melea Hames: [00:18:57] That is so cool. Well, before we wrap up, what do you think makes the Helen Keller birthplace so fascinating to visit? If you could sum it up, what would you say?
Sue Pilkilton: [00:19:09] Well, number one, she's in the history books. Children are fascinated with Helen Keller's story. But also people have read about her through the years. Their dream is to come and visit. A few years ago, Texas wanted to take her out of their curriculum. There was such an uprise, it was several people but Helen was one of them. A blind activist, who was a lawyer, he wrote a very strong letter to Texas. He said, "Because of Helen Keller, I am what I am today. My mother told me every day of my life, if Helen Keller, who is deaf and blind, could accomplish the things she did, there is not anything you cannot do." Texas kept her in their textbooks. We're very pleased about that. But her story is worldwide, all over the world, the little girl that was deaf-blind who graduated. The first deaf-blind to ever graduate from college. That was a big deal back then.
Melea Hames: [00:20:18] Yeah. That is so cool. Well, each week, we ask our Facebook followers what questions they would like to have answered on our podcast. The winning question is, are there any accommodations for persons with disabilities to better enjoy their visit or experience at Ivy Green?
Sue Pilkilton: [00:20:39] We have beautiful walks that wheelchairs can be accommodated. If you're deaf, we have a brochure that tells you exactly what our hostess says. If you have difficulty going upstairs, we have a picture book that shows you the beautiful rooms in full color. With Helen Keller's home being on the historical landmark, you can't put elevators to go upstairs or anything, we really keep it as the original. When you go out to the water pump, you can open the gate, go right in, and touch the pump. We try to focus and make people as comfortable as we possibly can.
Melea Hames: [00:21:22] That is so cool. Well, I so appreciate you being here with us today. You are such an asset to tourism. We are very grateful that you've been at the Helen Keller home as long as you have.
Sue Pilkilton: [00:21:35] Well, I can't say I'll be here another 50 years, but I plan to be here for a while.
Melea Hames: [00:21:41] Yes. We hope that you are. For our listeners out there, can you tell us where they can find the Helen Keller home on social media?
Sue Pilkilton: [00:21:50] Yes. We have a Facebook page. We also have a wonderful helenkellerbirthplace.org. They can go to, has a lot of information, or they can call 256-383-4066.
Melea Hames: [00:22:05] All right. Well, thank you so much. North Alabama social platforms are linked in the description. If you're listening to us on Apple Podcast, would you do us a huge favorite and leave us a rating and a written review? We would so appreciate it. Thanks for joining us. We'll be back next time with more about North Alabama Adventures.
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