A Georgia Girl in Germany

“Come right over! I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah and all America and all the world, and we’re going to start it tonight!”
-- Juliette Gordon Low’s famous 1912 call to her cousin Nina Pape

On March 12, 1912, Juliette Gordon Low gathered 18 girls to register the first troop of American Girl Guides, and in 1913 the organization’s name was officially changed to “Girl Scouts.”


When we left Florida this past summer heading for Charleston to catch a hop back to Germany, we stopped in Savannah en route so we could visit Juliette Gordon Low's childhood home -- the Juliette Gordon Low Girl Scout National Center, commonly known as Juliette’s Birthplace. The house was built between 1818 and 1821 for Mayor James Moore Wayne and lived in by four generations of Gordons.

We weren’t allowed to take photos inside the house, but we enjoyed our tour nonetheless. The house is restored to its 1886 appearance, and the tour was very informative -- not just about Juliette Gordon Low, but also about the entire Gordon family. MacKenzie was excited about visiting since there are several items available for her Girl Scout uniform that are only available there and can only be worn by scouts who have visited the Birthplace. Yes, she selected a few patches for the back of her vest and purchased the Birthplace pin that she’ll be able to wear on her uniform as long as she’s a scout. I even got one for me since I was a scout and have been an adult leader.

Juliette Gordon Low was a very talented lady. She wrote poetry, sketched, wrote and acted in plays, and was an avid and skilled painter and sculptor. She even designed and crafted this wrought-iron gate that stands in the garden beside the house. She definitely wasn’t afraid to try new experiences, which is exactly what Girl Scouts is about! What a wonderful opportunity to get a glimpse into the life and history surrounding such an amazing woman and her family!

Labels: Girl Scouts, MacKenzie, Stateside visits, Travel