Wren's Nest Tours

Located in Atlanta’s historic West End, the Wren’s Nest was the Victorian home of Joel Chandler Harris, known for his Uncle Remus books featuring Brer Rabbit. The oldest house museum in Atlanta, the museum holds a treasure trove of African-American history and folklore, and provides insight into Harris and his contemporaries.
 
The Basics
Join a docent-led tour of the Queen Anne house and National Historic Landmark where Harris and family lived from 1881 to 1908. The historic home contains the Harris' furnishings, and even the wall color has been preserved. Learn the history of the house, Harris, and African-American folklore. Try to plan your visit around weekly live readings of the Brer Rabbit stories. The house also hosts events, including music concerts, wine tastings, whiskey tastings, and haunted literary dinner parties.
 
Things to Know Before You Go

• The Wren’s Nest is ideal for history buffs and literature fans.
• Only the first floor of the house is open to visitors.
• You can bring a picnic and enjoy it on the estate grounds.
• There’s a gift shop on-site.

 
How to Get There
The Wren’s Nest is located in West End Atlanta. Take I-20 to exit 55A. Free parking is available on-site, or across the street. By public transport, take MARTA to the West End Station (S2). From there it’s around a 10-minute walk. You can also take bus No. 71.
 
When to Get There
Regular visiting hours for the Wren’s Nest are Saturdays and Sundays from morning to mid-afternoon. Guided tours take around 45 minutes. Time your visit for 1pm on Saturdays to listen to live readings of the Brer Rabbit stories. Entry at other times is by appointment only.
 
History of Uncle Remus and Brer Rabbit
A journalist for the Atlanta Constitution, Joel Chandler Harris first introduced his audience to Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox in 1877 in a column for the newspaper. Harris heard the stories of Brer Rabbit while working on a plantation. He created the Uncle Remus character to narrate the tales that originated in African-American culture and folklore, eventually producing nine volumes of more than 180 stories.