“The Help” house in Greenwood, MS

If you’ve not seen the 2012 Oscar winning movie “The Help,” you should (movie blurb below). It’s fantastic! While I was in Greenwood, Mississippi I had an opportunity to tour the main house used in the filming of the movie. The experience was made that much more enjoyable due to the overwhelming generosity of its owner, Mr. Webb Franklin, who graciously show us around his historic home. While we were there, Mr. Franklin shared some stories about the filming, such as where particular shots took place. The extensive staging and transformation of the home for the set, etc.

"The Help" house in Greenwood, MS
“The Help” house was built in 1911. Mr. Franklin and his family purchased the home in 1978.

The inside of the house was used as the home of Skeeter Phelan (Emma Stone), the main character of the movie. It was her childhood home that she came back to live after college. Charlotte (Allison Janey) and Robert (Ryan Kerwin) lived in the house. When watching the movie, the outside of the house looks quite different as they used another home just outside of Greenwood. They actually moved the front door to the other house to maintain constancy through the transitions from outside to inside. Apparently no detail in the filming was overlooked.

Parlor-inside-the-help-house

Bedroom-inside-the-help-house

Set in Mississippi during the 1960s, Skeeter (Emma Stone) is a southern society girl who returns from college determined to become a writer, but turns her friends’ lives— and a Mississippi town — upside down when she decides to interview the black women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent southern families. Aibileen (Davis), Skeeter’s best friend’s housekeeper, is the first to open up — to the dismay of her friends in the tight-knit black community. Despite Skeeter’s life-long friendships hanging in the balance, she and Aibileen continue their collaboration and soon more women come forward to tell their stories— and as it turns out, they have a lot to say. Along the way, unlikely friendships are forged and a new sisterhood emerges, but not before everyone in town has a thing or two to say themselves when they become unwittingly — and unwillingly — caught up in the changing times. Written by Walt Disney Pictures

The-Help-books-on-table

If you’ve seen the movie “The Help,” or have driven by this beautiful home, please leave a comment below.

Mike Shubic

Mike Shubic is a seasoned road trip travel video blogger, traversing the byways of the world looking for those hidden gems of the road. From unique destinations, unexpected discoveries, creative cuisine, intriguing inns to exciting attractions…the road is his page. The experiences are his ink. And every 300 miles, a new chapter begins. Whether you live vicariously or by example, Mike will do the exploring so you can have an adventure.
[crp]

9 Comments

  1. This just brought tears to my eyes and brought back a weekend full of memories. When watching the movie, I felt a sense of familiarity…NOW I KNOW WHY!!! In 1992, my freshman year at College of Charleston, I made a friend that will remain in my heart forever. Moving into St. Phillip’s Dorm, I couldn’t help but wonder who my roommates were going to be and how all of that was going to work. Among the 5 of us, bonds were quickly made!!! Brandy, Elizabeth, Lori, Lansdale and I quickly became buddies even through very different personalities, hobbies, courses of study, etc…In November of 1992, Lansdale Franklin invited me to go home with her for Thanksgiving break. Although hesitant about being away from my family I made the trip!!! I have always said, and will to the day I die…that was the most heartfelt welcoming I have ever experienced!!! Web, Edna, Webster…everyone was so hospitable and accommodating, there was no room for feeling like the outsider during a family holiday weekend. I ate crab legs for the FIRST TIME EVER…and the part that stuck out the most was in that fine, southern house full of beautiful furniture and the best of everything…the long dining room table was covered in newspaper, however, the fine wine glasses and fine cutlery were right there, too!!!! It just tickles my heart to know that my first trip to Mississippi was to Greenwood, to this home and now I can always have a way to go back and reminisce. Thank You to the Franklin family, you will always be in my heart and memories!

  2. Who lives in the home outside of Greenwood that was used for the exterior in the movie? We visited Greenwood last winter and drove down Money Road and by that house just past the Tallahatchie Bridge.

  3. Love this house and the now former owner, Webb Franklin. When his daughter got married they had her wedding reception at the house and it was wonderful! Many good parties were held in that beautiful home. I was sad when the family sold it.

    1. Hi CB, thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your experience. Oh no, that’s too bad they sold the place. I really enjoyed visiting and hearing some of the stories. All the best, Mike

Comments are closed.