That's truly special and apologies for only replying now but the channel got away from us and we're now back as Grave Talks w/Shannon Scott! Appreciate your enthusiasm shared with your children and the magic you're inspiring them by taking them to these places of natural beauty and art. There are few more iconic statues for sure! #savannah #history #bonaventurecemetery #shannonscotttours

Thanks for your comments, Ron. I'll preface this with that I don't own the doctrine but will offer up my fair opinions of being around Savannah for 32 years now and that many of "The characters" were neighbors, friends and associates, including Jim Williams who was briefly my landlord. I spent an adequate amount of time around The Mercer House via Barry Thomas, who I miss daily as he died at 38 of HIV induced AIDS in 1994? If not for him, I'd not have some of the insights that I do, including having met the woman who would go and get "the black candles for Jim" from Minerva. Yes, I believe that cemetery in S.C. was Shad Roe, among others. There are eye witness accounts of Minerva in the Lawton Family plot doing rituals with liquor tumblers and have spoken with them, so I'm thinking the term "garden" for Bonaventure is fair play in so far as any embellishments. So the "fears" about the statue were merited somewhat as there's certainly been A LOT of art theft in area cemeteries, but as far as The Bird Girl goes, she's a case of what what I call typical Savannah reactionary versus doing something with a plan for benefit of all in a complex but not unresolvable situation. Now she's simply gone and only accessible in a museum. Part of the story is missing as the Trosdal family has never made a statement on their view of things or how they were approached or informed or not, at least to my knowledge. I feel bad for them that a better plan wasn't put into place for a loved one's beloved statue but respectfully don't know their mindset or as much as I recall the mindsets of those around them in what I perceived as alarmist mode that never "helps" anyone. When it was removed, it was placed in storage. Eventually, in what could be called a brilliant move for an aging museum with struggling finances, then Telfair Museum Director, Diane Lesko bargained to get statue of Little Wendy on permanent loan and the Telfair numbers shot up for sure. Going back a bit, not long after the original moved, the then President of The Bonaventure Historical Society, contracted with estate of sculptor Sylvia Shaw Judson to create a new or another Little Wendy for the cemetery and visitors sake at Bonaventure. It was agreed to, and one that was 3 inches shorter was delivered and placed near the front entrance of Bonaventure. That lasted a few weeks when some watch dog voices who'd also worked to get rid of the original began to express their dismay and made certain the latest "Bird Girl" got booted too. So, while on the face of all of that, it was said to be about protection or safekeeping or whatever, there were some politics involved. I think if The Book were published today, so to speak, Little Wendy might get to stay(and I believe rightfully belongs) but lessons were learned from the extremism. The book story was embarrassing to many Savannah people, places, its main character was a predator, his fame and crimes implicated others, and so on. They saw the statue(s) as an erasure opportunity but it escaped the closet and clutches more ways than one.

I have had a small 15" replica for years and never put it outside for fear it would be stolen and I live nowhere near Savannah so I can see why there would have been concerns for the original statue and any trampling going on.

Wow lots of info there ty. I worked in Savannah on and off from 1998- 2002 my best friend had a garage door business there as I did in Tampa Florida at the time. And I would go there and work as a mental health break a break from the wife and kids lol. But I fell in love with Savannah and if I had my way I would have moved there but my first wife did not want to. I love the book in the movie is one of my favorite. I saw the movie I read the book and then i stayed there in I believe George Town area. The first time I went there I stayed at the Hyatt that goes all the way down to River Street the elevator does and that was a fun experience. And some of those stairs that go from River Street up are death traps especially if you've had a couple of beers or drinks 🎉​@@GraveTalkswithShannonScott

Hi Deanna -- apologies for letting your comments get past us but we've now reinvented the channel as Grave Talks w/Shannon Scott and promise to be more timely! Some of the film was shot here, yes, but only an overhead scene as The City of Savannah refused Eastwood's right to film the Lady Minerva scenery which ended up all being done on a sound stage. #savannah #bonaventurecemetery #clinteastwood #movies

Kate, great commentary! Having known Jack Leigh for better part of 20 years or so before his untimely passing at 55 and his former wife, Susan Patrice, for many more now, I can assure you that was in his mind and so you called it rather aptly if I do say so myself. Uncanny that "Little Wendy,: aka, The Bird Girl, is no longer in Bonaventure where Jack is buried so closely to the front gates but what a life they made together! #jackleigh #photographer #Savannah #bonaventurecemetery #thebirdgirl #sylviashawjudson #sculptor ##midnightinthegardenofgoodandevil

Thank you hazy blue! I'm not sure how I missed your comment going on 2 years back but we've reinvented the channel and are getting notifications more actively so my sincere apologies as I rarely let a genuine compliment get by like that! Take good care and more to come! #history #savannah #bonaventurecemetery #shannonscotttours

I'm embarrassed to say I didn't get all of the notifications on everyone's flattering comments about my voice or presentation so please accept my very delayed apology and recognition of your kindness! #shannonscotttours #gravetalks #savannah #bonaventurecemetery

Its ok but hoping to make them better Shane! Thank you for your encouragement! #gravetalks #savannah #bonaventurecemetery #shannonscotttours

I think, the reality of both statues was, after the book/movie, both statues were subjected to vandalism; especially the original statue.

I believe the family decided to put Wendy the bird girl on display where it is now to keep people from invading and trampling the family’s burial plots

@@raallen1468 Thanks for commenting. I've come to realize that this was the hype and no damages actually took place. That's not the P/C answer most have sold the world on, but my view is that it was reactionary per many things done in Savannah. #history #thebirdgirl #savannah #bonaventure

While Bonaventure does have a legitimate and long history of art theft and vandalism, which may have influenced the decision to put her in a storage unit, my view, and part of the use of the word political, was that her removal was reactionary and knee-jerk. The argument could've been made for Little Gracie as well, but there she still sits. Perhaps they learned their lesson with The Bird Girl, deciding to put up a gate around Gracie, which is still a less-than-perfect presentation in my mind. Savannah is a town famous for "not knowing what it wants but just knowing what it doesn't want." I've never found a police report or anything in the cemetery department record less reports of people being in the plot posing with the statues which is or was a true challenge. But instead of coming up with a plan for the statue, which would've been amazing and to the benefit of all, they hid her away. To me, evidence of "the political" is in the fact that the artist's estate sanctioned and made, a 2nd "Little Wendy," for the sake of visitors of Bonaventure per the head of the historical society then. The statue lasted 3 weeks(?), before powers or old guard influences or both, stepped into admonish the move, and even a 2nd Bird Girl statue, and one actually made for the cemetery which is incredible, was booted.

I found it amusing too! #thebirdgirl #savannah #bonaventurecemetery #gravetalks

Hi Julie. Apologies on the long delay to responding but truthfully we've just reinvented the channel as Grave Talks w/Shannon Scott so thank you for your patience! Happy to hear you enjoyed Bonaventure Cemetery but yes, at over 200 acres, it has its challenges! Good news, you can park along the road at any point! #history #savannah #bonaventurecemetery #shannonscotttours

It's not too shabby and hoping to get better! I'm enjoying the support and thank you kindly! #shannonscottours #gravetalks #savannahga #bonaventure

@@GraveTalkswithShannonScott I think abt the evolution of your unfoldment from the manifold amorphous potential into the polished crystal clarity. A craftsman refining his technique to mastery. Raconteur as much a provocateur, and % 100 gentleman through and through.

@@popper1772 Well I blush at the insight and accept it in the effort and sentiment in which it was delivered, thank you. #savannah #bonaventurecemetery #shannonscotttours #gravetalkswithshannonscott

@@GraveTalkswithShannonScott in a world gone mad, One man.. ...

My sincere apologies for the delayed response as I wasn't getting notifications for some reason! Appreciate your support! #savannah #history #bonaventurecemetery #gravetalkswithshannonscott

Yes, she was from inside of the Trosdal family plot in the place where you now find an antique iron bench. #thebirdgirl #savannah #bonaventurecemetery #shannonscotttours