F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum

F. Scott Fitzgeraldis the author of the acclaimed book, “The Great Gatsby”. Written in the earlier part of his career, it has transcended through time and is currently still being enjoyed by literary enthusiasts from all over the world. In a manner that only fate could have worked out, the life of this man is also one for the books and has in fact captured the fancy of many people for its great triumphs and heartbreaking losses. The interest in the life of Scott and his wife Zelda has in fact been so great that their former home has been turned into a museum meant to salvage the remaining memory of this couple’s enchanting tale.

The house was built in 1909 in 919 Fielder Avenue Montgomery, Alabama and was inhabited by the couple from 1931 to 1932 together with their daughter Scottie. It was in this house that Scott wrote his novel, “Tender is the Night” and also where Zelda wrote her only published novel, “Save Me the Waltz”. The couple, described as beautiful by people who have encountered them, experienced a great of loss early in their married life as two of their children died during infancy. These losses however were accentuated with moment of success especially in the area of Scott’s writing. As years went by however, their personal and married lives deteriorated leading to years of struggle and pain for both.

The house is the only intact Fitzgerald residence available today having been saved from demolition in 1986. It is now divided into different apartment units with the whole ground floor serving as the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, which was opened in 1989. Different artifacts from their lives can be found here most of which belong to Zelda who grew up in Montgomery. A complete collection of the first editions of Scott’s works is available as well as other memorabilia. The museum is open only from Wednesday to Sundays. Though no admission fee is charged, the place is only maintained through donations and the help of volunteers, so those are highly welcome.

F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum