Friday, June 29, 2012

Mary Barr Munroe

During 1886-87, a hundred years before I came to So. FL, Mary Barr Munroe decided to make Coconut Grove her winter home. Before long, she made her winter home a permanent home.  She stamped the Grove with distinctiveness that continues to this day.  The Grove was then called the Frontier in a virgin land.  She was the daughter of Amelia Barr, famous 19th Century novelist.

Mary Barr was ahead of her time.  Her kindness to everyone, including Indians, fishermen, and black families, made her one of the most popular women in the community. An arden ecologist, she was known to snatch egret feathers off the hats of popular ladies, making her most unpopular. She never had a child of her own, but she helped raise all the local children, regardless of color.  Her straw hat was her trademark.

Part of our So. FL history.
Blessings,
Janet
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23 comments:

  1. Tracey FKJune 29, 2012 at 2:21 AM

    This drawing is just lovely... it is hard to capture likeness but you have also managed to capture a real atmosphere... xx

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  2. NettyJune 29, 2012 at 4:11 AM

    Loving the story and the portrait. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  3. HeARTworksJune 29, 2012 at 4:13 AM

    This is nice, drawing real people with a history. Nice to capture their character in a drawing. I'm always planning to draw saints. There are some with some really strange stories! Patsy

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  4. Ayala ArtJune 29, 2012 at 10:02 AM

    What an interesting story! Thanks for sharing it. Your sketch is lovely.

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  5. ChristineJune 29, 2012 at 11:25 AM

    Nice painting , nice tribute to Ms Munroe.

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  6. carlareyJune 29, 2012 at 12:01 PM

    What a fascinating woman she was. Wouldn't you have loved to have met her? You did a great job sketching her, quite a good likeness.

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  7. Tammie LeeJune 29, 2012 at 12:19 PM

    loved learning a little about Mary and seeing your lovely sketch of her.

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  8. MarjiJune 29, 2012 at 12:56 PM

    The drawing is lovley. Mary Barr sounds like she was a inspiration. Happy PPF

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  9. Cris, Artist in OregonJune 29, 2012 at 1:10 PM

    Love to hear about the History of a place. You did a wonderful Tribute to her and a great drawing too. Happy PPF.

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  10. Valerie-JaelJune 29, 2012 at 3:50 PM

    She must have been a great lady! thanks for the tip about the Dixie Truckers home, if I get back to Illinois again I will give it a visit! Valerie

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  11. carol l mckennaJune 29, 2012 at 5:30 PM

    Wonderful sketch and love the history ~~ thanks, ^_^ (A Creative Harbor)

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  12. GigglesJune 29, 2012 at 10:18 PM

    Thanks for sharing your piece of history! I'd be her friend....I have many friends similar to her! Lovely illustration!

    Hugs Giggles

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  13. LindaJune 30, 2012 at 12:43 AM

    Lovely sketch. :)

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  14. Anne MandaJune 30, 2012 at 1:53 AM

    Lovely sketch of an exceptional woman!

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  15. Caitlyn (ladyphlogiston)June 30, 2012 at 3:29 PM

    Cool history. She must have been quite a character

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  16. Catherine DentonJune 30, 2012 at 10:34 PM

    Love hearing all the background on your sketch. What an amazing woman she was!
    Catherine Denton

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  17. Alicia CJune 30, 2012 at 11:30 PM

    what a wonderful story! its so rare to be a person so ahead of one's time and of such character. Great drawing too!

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  18. Elisa ChoiJuly 1, 2012 at 1:51 AM

    an inspiring woman! You capture her well:)

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  19. LeoviJuly 1, 2012 at 6:33 AM

    Beautiful portrait of a great woman.

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  20. ChrisJuly 4, 2012 at 8:52 PM

    Hi Jeanine, thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving such a sweet comment. I have reciprocated and am now following your lovely blog. Cheers, Chris
    http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/

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  21. ChrisJuly 4, 2012 at 8:56 PM

    Please forgive me, I meant Janet - was looking at the lovely portrait of Jeanine. Hugs, Chris

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  22. minnemieJuly 5, 2012 at 7:42 PM

    I always learn something here:-) You captured a great look with lots of character on her face.

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  23. Daniele ValoisJuly 5, 2012 at 9:11 PM

    fab sketch and thanks for sharing her story. And thank you so much for your kind words on my blog last week. So sweet!

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