Was Little Orphan Annie Real? Exploring James Whitcomb Riley's Mansion in Indianapolis

[@ganymededarling]

We just toured this home last weekend. It was gorgeous! The guide told us 90% of decor and furnishings are original, even the carpet. We are hoping to visit his childhood home later this summer.

[@susprime7018]

I love the Italianate style, especially the entry portico.

[@SandraTrueblood]

My family visited this house many years ago. We were told that the house was not restored or remodeled, and that JWR would recognize it. The only changes we noticed were the addition of AC, plastic runners on the floor and security devices. There was a red transom window over the door that tradesmen used. Also, I remember his cane and top hat sitting on his bed and a portrait of his dog. This house is about a mile south of downtown Indy. Well worth a visit.

[@TomJosephi]

I didn't know this was the origin of Little Orphan Annie until you mentioned it. So this must have been the inspiration for the comic.

[@marionlesage4794]

I learned “Little Orphan Annie” in school, but the only line that comes to mind 40’years later is “And the goblins will get’cha if you don’t watch out.” I remember loving it.

[@brooklynrocks2396]

It's called Little Orphan Annie by James Whitcomb Riley.

[@walterpitt1775]

My mother used to read that poem to us when we were little & I have never forgotten it.

[@danielkoher1944]

👻 Too late...👻 👻👻

[@pamcornelius9122]

The poem ‘Nicholas Oberting’ by James Whitcomb Riley was written about my paternal great grandfather. I’ve only ever seen it in a volume of JWR’s complete works. My father’s family were some of the initial settlers of Indiana. Thanks so much for this informative video about him!

[@randyboglisch137]

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful house

[@christopherkraft1327]

Fascinating home with a fascinating story!!! 👍👍🙂

[@carolstephens-fortner6887]

Lovely cozy home. Loved this one, Ken. 🏡

[@LJB103]

Never knew about this house or that Little Orphan Annie wasn't just a depression era cartoon.. I would have toured it when I toured the Benjamin Harrison home only a little over 1 mile away. Excellent video.

[@bowiearcangeli11]

A beautiful house and interesting story! Thank you for sharing 🥰

[@lisadolan689]

Agreed ☺️

[@ronframe387]

Very nice and forward thinking of that ballplayer to save the house!

[@ULTRAMAGADEPLORABLEcultmember]

Thank you, I very much enjoy your work!✌🏼

[@danielkoher1944]

The entire interior as well as exterior is Amazing.

[@paulaharrisbaca4851]

My mom loved to read this poem to me. We always liked to read dialect and I wrote many things in dialect, although those are apparently politically incorrect if you are a white middle class college educated person. Margaret Mitchell, and my dad's namesake, Joel Chandler Harris, both did great dialogue using various the dialect of black American slaves and post-Civil War black dialect as well, in various parts of the country. Irish and Italian accents as well. it always brings the writing to life in a way just writing it out without the phonetic version would make it completely unclear as to who was speaking. Imagine Prissy saying to Scarlett "I don't know anything about being a midwife! I don't know why I told you such a lie. My mother would never let me watch when other ladies were in labor!" (I like to tease some of my favorite English YT channels with imitations of how they sound to a native Californian.)

[@denisemanley5318]

I loved the library. Would love to tour this house!

[@StamperWendy]

Such a fascinating historical background. I love the personal details about his life.

[@denisemcdougal6445]

Beautiful house!

[@dcnunez100]

Fascinating!

[@davidcattin7006]

Greetings from Peru, Indiana!

[@amyogden7376]

What about the comic strip about Little Orphan Annie? Is there a connection? I thought the musical “Annie” was based on the comic strip.

[@tmoore1144]

Riley Children's Hospital opened in 1924 and was named in his honor. Haven't made it to tour his home.

[@tomjpurchase]

This was a great video. I really appreciate your videos.

[@renastone1270]

The library was my favorite!

[@laurietaylor8941]

He was quite the collector🧐

[@sharonfoster4310]

I found a recording of JWR reading Little Orphan Annie online. My father who was born in 1928 north of Fort Wayne, had a rural Hoosier accent but it was not 4:55 as strong as Riley's accent. He sounded familiar anf my first thought was "he sounds a lot like dad!' 4 4:55

[@joantrainor6584]

I love the dining room!

[@beautifulhomemaking]

Wow, I never would have known from his book/poem An Old Sweetheart of Mine that he was unmarried...he fooled me! I thought it was based on his wife! Love the house and video. Thanks!

[@janemckee4922]

Beautiful

[@marlenalinne]

Little Orphan Annie's real name was Mary Alice Gray and she's buried in the Philadelphia, Indiana Cemetery.

[@1976mcfarlane]

Look into the orphan trains. Crazy amount of orphans for some reason. Beautiful home

[@rudyboyance8029]

Civil War created thousands of orphans.

[@lisadolan689]

🙏☺️ Ken

[@sophisticatedswine7172]

Do you know any history about the friends he lived with? Just curious ;o)

[@jillatherton4660]

👍