Southern Creatives - Tamara Welch - a Reader's Trip to Rowan Oak

Southern Creatives – Tamara Welch and Rowan Oak

It is my pleasure to have Tamara Welch as a guest on Southern Creatives. She visited Rowan Oak and is giving us a first hand account of the trip and her thoughts on the beautiful place and author (**greatest of all time** – my words, not Tamara’s!) William Faulkner.

William Faulkner’s “Rowan Oak”

Rowan Oak, Oxford, and a taste of the Southern Life

Oxford, MS, depending on the person you ask, is known for anything from football to literary greats.

Probably the person who is considered the most well-know literary great is William Faulkner- although Oxford has been home to many others, as well. William Faulkner and his place, Rowan Oak, are fixtures for life in Oxford- which is one reason why the town is so hospitable to literary types.

Over the summer, an event took place in Oxford, MS, called Booktopia. Part of the weekend was a Rowan Oak tour. Rowan Oak, while close to the Square, feels like a million miles away from the atmosphere of the Square.

As I walked on the grounds of Rowan Oak, with the trees, the lush green grass and the house- I felt transported to another time. I almost kept expecting to see William Faulkner walking around, perhaps enjoying a Mint Julep- it was that Southern of an experience.

The tour of Rowan Oak was interesting- our tour guide was a theatrical man, and enjoyed telling tales of Faulkner, the books, and the stories of the house.  After the lecture part of the tour is over, guests are encouraged to walk-through the house and look at the memorabilia.

Our tour guide told a story of Jill wanting a radio, and finally getting one. William Faulkner did not like the radio, apparently, and she told him “he would see the radio each time he passed her room”. However, this was not to be, as William arranged another re-model of the house so he would not walk past Jill’s room, according to the tour guide.

The tour guide also told how Mrs. Faulkner was able to get the forbidden air conditioning in her room after Faulkner passed away- her reasoning was so she could “mourn in comfort.”

After a visitor has enjoyed the ambience of Rowan Oak, a walk on the Square is in order. Near the courthouse, is a statue of William Faulkner sitting on a bench.

It’s a perfect place for a picture. Continuing the walk around the Square, a visitor will see many places to eat and shop, if one was inclined. For book lovers, Square Books is a dream with books of all types, a perfect place to spend an afternoon.  The employees are happy to make recommendations, as well.

Come to Rowan Oak, learn about William Faulkner, and enjoy a literary experience. Oxford and Rowan Oak is calling, y’all!

 

 

 

 

 

To read literary confessions, book reviews, book signings, and other fun things- visit Tamara’s blog – www.travelingwitht.wordpress.com

 

 

And, connect with Tamara on Twitter – @rockstar1023

Thanks, Tamara, for being a guest on Southern Creatives, and of course, for discussing William Faulkner!

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