Novel Travels: Gone With the Wind

Most people who know the novel and movie Gone With the Wind know that Tara does not exist. I understand though, from reading and studying both as an undergrand (University of Texas, English/Women's Studies course: Women's Popular Genres) that people have gone to Atlanta, Georgia, and asked to see Tara.

Margaret Mitchell based the plantations in GWTW on homes in Clayton County and Jonesboro, which she had seen and visited growing up. Although visiting Tara is impossible, it is possible to get a GWTW fix in Atlanta, Texas, and even Ireland.
Atlanta: To start, GWTW lovers should visit the Margaret Mitchell House where she wrote GWTW. The house gives visitors a glimpse into Mitchell's life, hosts literary events, and has a movie museum (and a gift shop). Mitchell is buried in Oakland Cemetery. There is a Margaret Mitchell square in downtown Atlanta. Those who read the novel may recall Scarlett traveling along Peachtree Street. I feel obligated to warn Atlanta visitors that it seems nearly every street, square, and shopping center is named Peachtree (or so it seemed to this outsider). For other reasons to visit Atlanta, I recommend visiting CNN's studios and the World of Coca-Cola.

The Road to Tara Museum in Jonesboro has a large, permanent collection about GWTW. Or, visitors can take the Southern Belles & Whistles Tour in Jonesboro given by Atlanta Tours.

Marietta has a Gone With the Wind Museum: Scarlett on the Square which has the original honeymoon gown Vivien Leigh wore for the movie, several editions of the novel, and Ona Munson's (Belle) movie script.

Texas: If GWTW lovers are anywhere near Jefferson, Texas, they should visit Scarlett O'Hardy's Gone With the Wind Museum, one of the largest private collections of GWTW memorabilia in existence. It's got movie posters, autographs of stars of GWTW, puzzles, and fabric relating to the book and movie.

In Austin, Texas, the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin has the David O. Selznick Collection and occasionally displays dresses from the movie, however they are not scheduled to be shown again until 2014. Until then, visit the Gone With the Wind Online Exhibit.

Ireland: Speculation has it that Mitchell got the O'Hara plantation name from the Hill of Tara in Ireland. Tara is regarded as the traditional seat of the high kings of Ireland because one could see all of Ireland from the top of the hill (not really, but you can see for miles). OK, it's not really related to GWTW except in name, but it's a fun place to visit.



Visiting any of these places will help get a true GWTW lover their fix, until they can take another trip, re-read the novel, or see the movie. (Note: the Paramount in downtown Austin will be showing GWTW over Labor Day Weekend, as part of their Summer Film Series.)