Helen Keller Birthplace

Come see where famous author, disability advocate, political activist, and lecturer Helen Keller was born and raised.

Helen Keller was born June 27th, 1880, in Tuscumbia, Alabama, to Arthur and Catherine Keller. She lost both her hearing and sight after a bout of illness when she was 19 months old and spent her childhood with limited communication and understanding of the outside world. Anne Sullivan became Helen’s teacher and governess when Helen was seven years old. Sullivan was able to teach her language by spelling out the names of things into Helen’s hand. This was a monumental breakthrough for Helen. After she could more effectively communicate, she received a formal education at Radcliffe College becoming the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Helen spent much of her life providing lectures of hope and good cheer. She wrote and published several books and became politically active, supporting such things as women’s and disabled person's rights, and was a stalwart member of the Socialist Party. She died June 1, 1968 after which a service was held in her honor at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

Ivy Green is a historic house museum where Helen Keller was born. The property’s principal features include the main house, the birthplace cottage, and the well where Helen made her first big breakthrough with Anne Sullivan in communication. The house was built in 1820 by Helen’s grandfather. The property became a museum in Helen Keller’s honor in 1954. Live performances of “The Miracle Worker”, a play based on Helen’s early life are given throughout June and July annually. The property is open for tours and visitors Monday through Saturday, 8:30 am - 4 pm. There is no admission fee, though donations are accepted and appreciated.