My oldest daughter never married but has been a doting aunt to four girls, two boys and countless dogs and cats. All but two of the kids are in their twenties now but she’s still in the center of the lives of my youngest daughter’s children. A few years ago she commented that there is a Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparents’ Day – but no Aunt’s Day. That’s when my youngest daughter started Aunt Nancy Day. Each year in November, we have a little celebration that may or may not include youngest daughter’s two children (13 and 9), depending on the event. (This niece and nephew call Nancy “Uncle Chester” just to be perverse.
Aunt Nancy/Uncle Chester and the kids
This year’s celebration was something we didn’t think the children would enjoy:
You are cordially invited to an Aunt Nancy/Uncle Chester Day celebration on Wednesday, November 14. Lunch will be provided en route to Columbus, Ohio where you will be granted an exclusive tour of the Thurber House. (OK, it’s just the normal self-guided tour that anybody can do, but PRETEND it’s exclusive.) Get out your copy of MY LIFE AND HARD TIMES and bone up.
Since my two daughters and I are great admirers of humorist/cartoonist James Thurber, it was ideal for us. We had lunch at a Cracker Barrel and then drove for an hour and half to Columbus, Ohio, listening to recordings of some of Thurber’s funniest stories.
The Thurber house was built in 1873 and is an example of Victorian architecture.
The Thurbers lived there from 1913-1917 and the house and furnishings were restored aided by the recollections of Thurber’s younger brother. This sideboard had been in the Thurber dining room.
My favorite room was the one that James Thurber used at the time and the old typewriter he used when he wrote for The New Yorker.
Had to stop and admire the quilt on the old iron bed.
I took a picture of my girls on the staircase from which he heard the ghost circling the dining room table in “The Night the Ghost Got In”…
And one of the front door which the police broke down after a call about the ghost.
There are many beautiful fireplaces in the house with gorgeous tile.
Thurber fans will love seeing the house, the furnishings and all of the memorabilia. There is no charge for the self-guided tour. Here is their website:
On the way back, we stopped in downtown Columbus for some exotic ice cream at Jeni’s. I chose a dip each of Bangkok Peanut and Queen City Cayenne Chocolate. Liked the Cayenne Chocolate the best – unique flavors.
My daughter gave Nancy a gift card to Hobby Lobby from her kids, two dogs and two cats, and I gave her one to JoAnn’s from my dog, Rusty. Another Aunt Nancy Day is over.
LILLIAN'S CUPBOARD 
What a great tradition and it sounds and looks like you had a great time. I need to convince my family to have an Auntie Sarah day!
Oh wow! What a wonderful experience! I live close to Philly, and the Edgar Allen Poe House is there. I’ve been thinking about going, and you may have just convinced me by sharing this story.
Also, what a great idea to pick a day to celebrate the awesome aunt!
Happy Aunt Nancy/Uncle Chester, hope you had a good day, looks like you did, but everyday is a party at Lillian’s house. What fun!
What a great family tradition, and I really appreciate my exclusive tour of the Thurber home. =)
The Aunt Nancy/Uncle Chester Day is a wonderful idea. Since having the Little Man I have seen what an important part doting Aunts can play in children’s lives.
It looks liek you had a wonderful trip to the Thurber house. As I am not likely to visit in person anytime soon I appreciate you taking me along via your lovely pictures. If I ever do come then Jeni’s is definitely going to be on my to-do list!
Abigail x
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