Helen Keller Birthplace

  Helen Keller was born in 1880, healthy and physically perfect, but when she was only 19 months old a high fever caused her to lose both her hearing and sight.  She could make a few signs that her family understood but until Anne Sullivan, her teacher and lifelong friend and companion, came to live in the Keller house she was often frustrated by her inability to communicate with people. Anne stayed with Helen for 49 years accompanying her to grade school, high school, and Radcliffe college. Helen Keller learned to speak, read sign language, and read and write using using braille. She traveled to over 25 countries to give lectures and speeches and wrote 12 books.

   Located on the birthplace site is a small frame house built in 1820 by Helen Keller’s grandfather. Helen and her parents lived in the house when she was a child. One room contains a small museum with artifacts and stories. A two room cottage sits next to the house. This was where Helen’s parents lived right after they were married and where Helen was born. It became the school house when Anne Sullivan arrived. The rooms are furnished with family pieces. The grounds are park like with mature trees and a memorial fountain.
          
  The first floor of the house is accessible through the rear entrance. Visitors can view the cottage rooms from the outside but there isn’t a ramp to access the porch. The famous water pump is accessible. The grounds are accessible.
          
  The parking lot is large enough for short RVs. Large RVs can be parked on the street.  Birthplace
34.73815, -87.70631