Have you ever dreamed of spending a night in a museum, a historical bed and breakfast, and the home of brilliant authors simultaneously? We’ve got you covered. It’s time to plan a trip to Montgomery, Alabama to stay in the home of ‘Great Gatsby’ and ‘Save Me the Waltz’ authors Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald. The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum is tucked away on a quiet street in Montgomery’s Historic Old Cloverdale neighborhood and is currently the only museum dedicated to the Fitzgerald’s.
Zelda, a native to Montgomery, met Scott at a country club in 1918 during WWI and left in 1920 when they married, and so began the Jazz Age. Though they drifted all over the world and lived everywhere from New York to Paris, throughout their lives the couple visited Montgomery often, and returned to live for a year in 1931; during which time both were working on what would become famous publications known as ‘Save Me the Waltz’ and ‘Tender is the Night’. This was the last home the Fitzgerald’s lived in as a family. After Scott’s death, Zelda returned to Montgomery to a home on Sayre street and lived with her mother until 1946. Scottie, the only child Zelda and Scott had, returned to Montgomery in 1975 and lived there until her death in 1986.
The home itself has had quite a past starting out as a single family home in 1909, and was then turned into apartments during the early 1930’s. The house was all set for demolition in 1986, but was fortunately purchased by the founders, the McPhillips, who donated it as the Scott and Zelda Museum.
The museum portion contains several of Zelda’s paintings, personal belongings of the couple, and first edition novels. The museum hosts a number of annual events including a New Year’s Eve part, Spring Garden Party, and Literary Competition.
Guests can choose whether they would rather stay in the Zelda suite or the Scott suite, and will enjoy early-mid 20th century furnishings, gorgeous oriental rugs, pillows beautifully embroidered with Fitzgerlad quotes, books galore (of course), a record player, a balcony, and original historic wallpaper in either suite of their choosing. The Fitzgerald House is not suitable for infants, nor are pets, parties, or smoking allowed. If you simply can’t get enough of the Fitzgerald’s history, check out the ‘Zelda’s Peaches and Biscuits Podcast’ hosted by the Fitz Museum.
If you’re planning on staying a spell in Montgomery, you may be wondering what other sights there are to see. Montgomery just so happens to be a historian’s haven with deep roots seeded in the Civil Rights Movement, so with options such as the Civil Rights Memorial, The Legacy Museum, the Rosa Parks Museum, and the Freedom Rides Museum, your day is sure to be packed before enjoying a relaxing stroll on the grounds of the Fitzgerald house while relishing the sweet scent of magnolias the charming sound of church bells.