Anatomy of a Dinner Party: a day in the life of a hospitalityaholic
 

Scarlett Loves Rhett

Written by Patti on May 12th, 2011

Good Morning Darlings!

Atlanta is chock full of history. There’s real history and then there’s literary history. I like the literary history best.

Gone With The Wind was written in Midtown Atlanta by Margaret Mitchell. It was her only novel. But, I guess when you pen the great American novel, there is no need for another, yes?

I was most fortunate to be invited to a special party celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Gone With The Wind. No southern girl would turn down an invitation for that.

About 30 of us gathered at the Margaret Mitchell House this past weekend for some afternoon refreshments and a special VIP tour.

All the magic happened right here.

Eric and I clowned around a bit with some props before the tour.

My beau and me!

How did Miss Mitchell get the idea for GWTW? She broke her leg and was housebound for a while. Her husband was bringing her 10 books each day from the Atlanta library and when he returned home at night, she had already read the books. Finally, he came home, not with 10 books, but a typewriter, suggesting she write her own book.

And what a book it was. And still is! It is the primer for any southern hostess that aspires to give a proper barbecue like the one in the opening chapter held at Twelve Oaks. Tara was the house I longed to live in as a child and still pine for as an adult. Not because I need all that room, but because I could fit so many party guests in there!

There were a few movie pieces in the house. I especially love the portrait of Scarlett that hung in the house she shared with Rhett. This is the same painting that was seen in the movie.

Miss O'Hara.

Margaret’s apartment was tiny. No, she did not own the house. She and her husband only rented a tiny apartment after their wedding. But it is the most famous apartment in all of Atlanta.

Lion's head on the banister. Margaret is said to have rubbed his nose for luck. I rubbed, too!


Margaret slept here.


I thought you all might enjoy seeing her toaster, since we talked toast last week.

For a fun afternoon, go visit the Margaret Mitchell House in Midtown Atlanta. You can pick up a copy of Gone With the Wind in the gift shop, take it home, put on your best hoop skirt and try to eat some barbecue after being laced up.

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Gone With The Wind – Tara’s Theme

 

2 Comments so far ↓

  1. Maggie says:

    Very cool blog! I love this post. The Margaret Mitchell House looks a lot like my Nana & Papap’s house. I always love seeing pictures of it! Cheers, dahling!

  2. Christy says:

    What a great event! This book will always hold a special place in my heart.