Historical marker describes the life of writer Truman Capote

This week’s featured historical marker is the “TRUMAN CAPOTE” marker in downtown Monroeville, Ala.

This marker is located on the west side of South Alabama Avenue, just north of Oak Street and next door to Mel’s Dairy Dream restaurant. There’s printing on both sides of this marker, but both sides are identical. This marker was erected by the Alabama Historical Association in 1995. What follows is the complete text from the marker:

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“TRUMAN CAPOTE (1924-1984): On this site stood the home of the Faulk family of Monroeville, relatives of the writer Truman Capote. Capote himself lived in this home between 1927 and c. 1933, and for several years spent his summer vacations here. Two of the Faulk sisters operated a highly successful millinery shop located on the town square. The third sister, affectionately known as ‘Sook,’ was the inspiration for characters in ‘The Glass Harp,’ ‘The Thanksgiving Visitor’ and ‘A Christmas Memory.’ The original structure on this site burned to the ground in 1940, and the second home was demolished in 1988. Monroeville remained important to Capote throughout his life, and he returned to the area many times in the years before his death to visit surviving relatives.

“‘I won’t be here forever, Buddy. Nor will you… The Lord willing, you’ll be here long after I’ve gone. And as long as you remember me, then we’ll always be together.’ – Truman Capote, ‘The Thanksgiving Visitor’ © 1967, Random House, Inc.”

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Capote, whose real name was Truman Streckfus Persons, was born in New Orleans in September 1924 and died in Los Angeles in August 1984 at the age of 59. He was a childhood friend for Pulitzer Prize-winning author Harper Lee, and he scores of short stories and books. He’s arguably most famous for his books “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “In Cold Blood.” His other works include “Other Voices, Other Rooms” and “The Grass Harp.”

The historical marker described above is just down the street from the Monroe County Heritage Museum, which is housed within the Old Monroe County Courthouse. If you’re interested in learning more about Capote’s life, you should visit the museum, which contains permanent displays about Capote. Many of the items in the Capote exhibit were donated to the museum in 2005 by Jennings Faulk Carter. You’ll also benefit from the museum’s fine staff, who are well versed in all things Capote and can likely answer any questions you might have about the famous writer.

You might also want to check out the 2005 movie, “Capote,” which starred Philip Seymour Hoffman as Capote. The movie focuses on Capote’s writing of “In Cold Blood.” I especially liked this movie because of the way it portrayed how Capote and Harper Lee worked together on the book. Catherine Ann Keener portrayed Harper Lee in that movie.

In the end, visit this site next Wednesday to learn about another local historical marker. I’m also taking suggestions from the reading audience, so if you know of an interesting historical marker that you’d like me to feature, let me know in the comments section below.