Yesterday I walked and drove around the neighborhood Crichton, in Mobile, under chilly blue skies and reminisced back to my childhood days when Grandma Johnson lived in a little house on Mill Street, which is now lined with industrial warehouses, and when Uncle Johnny Earl Johnson worked as a cook at Mac's Wheelhouse on Springhill Avenue. People all over the world are familiar with Crichton to, as it is the home of the world's only known living leprechaun, who lives in an oak tree there. I paid him a visit but the sign on his tree said he would be back around St. Patrick's Day...
I walked into what is now Rochelle's - the former Mac's Wheelhouse, which is operated by two of his grandsons. The restaurant gets stellar press reviews on a regular basis and all that does is bring more business to this traditional southern eatery where I sat at the counter and had fried shrimp, hush puppies, fries and coleslaw, washed down with a glass of sweet iced tea. Rochelle's was busy but I was able to talk with one of the grandsons who said they may have some old pictures from back in the day. I reminded him Mac used to have his cooks wear tall white chef's hats, and I remember uncle Johnny wearing his behind the grill, which is in open view to the counter. Rochelle's is also known for their Steer Burgers, and their slogan was "Home of the Steer Burger" back when it was Mac's Wheelhouse beginning in 1953...I ate every bite of my lunch which drained less than 20 dollars including tip from my very shy wallet...hush, I tipped more than a quarter.
Crichton is in the midst of a revitalization but there 's still more work to be done, especially several vacant buildings and lots right there on Springhill Avenue...we hope the City of Mobile and private industry gets further in there and helps bring back a neighborhood that deserves preservation and some more make-up...I also stepped into Joe's Barber Shop, billed as the largest barber shop in Alabama with 17 chairs inside...also on Springhill Avenue, near Rochelle's...
Down the road a bit at 1664 Springhill Avenue I had on my schedule to visit The Medical Museum of Mobile, who offered a Friday 2:00 free guided tour with the purchase of an entry ticket which cost from $5.00 to $7.00. They also offer free guided tours on the first Saturday of each month, or by prearrangement individual or group tours and 10+ visitors pay $5.00 per person. Ages up to 2 years old are admitted free.
I arrived a little early and took a walk around the grounds, dotted with sculptures, small olive trees, and several herb gardens with little signs denoting the names of the herbs. Even before you get inside to view the medical artifacts you are already fascinated by the fact this is the oldest standing house in all of Mobile that has not been moved from its original location. It is the oldest examples of French Creole architecture in the city, a summer house built by a boat captain in 1827. Even with renovations the Vincent-Doan House still maintains it's original form, and I recommend the guided tour for a lot more insight on this unique place....by the way, to gain entrance to the grounds if you are coming from West Mobile on Springhill Avenue, simply drive past the house (on the left) and take the left immediately after - right there on the corner. Down the street there is an entrance to the left in back of the home where you will park. The entrance to the museum is on the side of the home, clearly marked with a sign. So left, left and left....Ring the bell and wait a few minutes.
Imagine how royal I felt when it was clear I was the only one there for this particular tour. I was a little astonished because it seemed to me people would be jumping at the chance to see and hear about what I was about to on this guided tour. I imagine the museum has it's busy times - I apparently picked a good day for my own end of the year tour...
As if getting a solo guided tour was not enough, the tour guide was the Executive Director Daryn Glassbrook, Ph.D. The museum is all downstairs so no stair climbing required. Daryn began the tour outside in the Robert Thrower Medicinal Garden, and explained the history of the sculptures by April Livingston, their significance to the history of Mobile and the medical community. There is a generous example of medical herbs growing in the garden and you may be invited to pluck a few leaves or needles to take home. I would go into more detail but no spoiler alert necessary here. I want you to see and hear it for yourself....
Following a brief overview of the home itself, it's architecture and how it was designed to accommodate our sub-tropical climate, the tour inside began. The museum is divided into several rooms with names reflecting their donors or founders in the medical field, including the founder of the museum Dr. Samuel Eichold II, who established it in 1962 While you could linger and take in all or most of the hundreds of medical artifacts, the tour lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on some of the more interesting items such as the iron lung machine and imported-from-Europe paper mache , bigger than life molds of the interior human body, and one of the first machines used in open-heart surgery in Mobile by Doctor Hightower - a machine which Daryn turned on so I could see how it worked.
There's an original EEG machine and head to toe human skeletons on display... And remember in some of the old western movies the guy who drives town to town in a covered wagon and stands on a makeshift stage selling snake oil? Step right on up he calls to you, and if you have any sense you run...A generous display of some of these useless elixirs have their own display case in the museum... in case anyone is wondering-which we hope you are not-they are not for sale...
I really can't gush enough about this museum and the guided tour. You can see that Daryn has perfected this tour with just the right amount of time spent in each room, discussing the key items -not a thing boring about this presentation and the displays. He said there will be a special exhibition on bones beginning in March 2024...
You may need to visit the museum to find out what this is...
I recommend that in any case you plan to visit call first, even if you are not taking the guided tour. Personally, I would do the tour - much more info than browsing by yourself. Their current hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Thursday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. They are open the first Saturday of every month from 1:00-3:00 (free tour on the first Saturday of each month, and currently tours every Friday at 2:00 PM free with paid admission. ) Due to limited staff appointments are recommended by calling 251-415-1109. Since everyone would hate for you to drive down there and not be able to get in because staff are not available, I recommend you have voice contact the day of, and let them know when you are dropping by...
As previously stated in another blog, I will be taking a sabbatical from my column until next year - two whole days worth. The truth is I just like using the word sabbatical. It makes me sound important. Which I am, so I mean more important. If that is possible. Well, you get it. Happy, Safe New Year!
No comments:
Post a Comment