Young Docents decorated rocks as part of our new Rock Garden. After the rocks are placed, anyone can stop by and arrange them into sentences, poems, thoughts, etc.

(February 2020)

Young Docents normally participate in many different activities, including field trips, holiday decorating, and giving tours of Thurber House. We used Zoom for most activities this year.

(February 2020)

Columbus Noir, a collaboration between local writers, was our only in-person event in 2020—we remember it fondly!

(March 3, 2020)

Columbus Noir authors take the stage at the Columbus Museum of Art, facilitated by Andrew Welsh-Huggins.

(March 3, 2020)

Comedians John Moe and Jen Kirkman entertained attendees during our first virtual special event, moderated by Katherine Matthews.

(May 13, 2020)

This year, writers enjoyed classes such as Going Rogue, Social Media for Writers, Mining Memories, and How to Break Through Writers’ Block from the comfort of their homes.

(Spring and Fall 2020)

The Greek goddess Athena visited camp in search of Odin of Asgard’s missing magical drill.

(Summer 2020)

Our 4th-6th grade campers helped Odin solve the mystery…

(Summer 2020)

One of these suspicious characters stole the drill!

(Summer 2020)

Campers showed off their stylin’ hats during Hat Day at camp.

(Summer 2020)

The cast of the TV soap opera Days of Our Lives came to camp this year and performed Thurber campers' original soap opera scripts! Click to watch the hilarious video.

(June 2020)

Columbus poet and activist Rachel Wiley entertained us during her virtual picnic with her down-to-earth personality and fabulous poetry.

(July 8, 2020)

Former Thurber House John E. Nance Writer-in-Residence Jess Montgomery thrilled attendees with an in-depth look at the history and method behind her mystery writing.

(July 22, 2020)

Award-winning mystery author Kristen Lepionka gave us the scoop about how Columbus and its landmarks influence her books.

(August 5, 2020)

Young Docents took a virtual field trip to OSU Rare Books & Manuscripts Library to see items from their James Thurber Collection.

(July 2020)

Zoom Bingo was a huge hit with our Young Docents, who enjoyed chatting and laughing with friends as much as the game.

(August 2020)

Thurber House Young Docents gathered virtually for a Halloween party in October. Check out those costumes! Even Bob Ross attended.

(October 2020)

A true treasure, Ohio Poet Laureate Kari Gunter-Seymour gave a fantastic reading of her poems. To quote an attendee: “Kari Gunter-Seymour is an authentic singular voice for Appalachia, but also for Ohio and our nation.”

(September 9, 2020)

Soul writer Kahlil Carter flipped his event upside down with a deep, collaborative discussion about the social justice issues our country is facing.

(September 15, 2020)

Danny Fingeroth, who knew Stan Lee for 40 years, presented a fascinating inside look at the man behind some of our most iconic Marvel superheroes.

(September 24, 2020)

We still published our teen literary journal this year, featuring the work of 13–19 year old writers and artists. For the first time, we even released an ebook.

(June 2020)

Young Writers’ Studio continued online on Zoom this year. For the first time, young writers from all over the country were able to join us virtually.

(Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall 2020)

Columbus, Ohio poet and educator Barbara Fant guest taught Young Writers’ Studio in the fall (in addition to an Adult Writing Workshop about poetry).

(October 2020)

We held our first-ever Thurber Birthday Auction in celebration of James Thurber’s 126th birthday. The auction proceeds helped to sustain Thurber House.

(December 16-17, 2020)

Back when he could still travel, James visited the frigid shore of Lake Michigan just north of Milwaukee.

(February 2020)

Thanks to Jane Kelley, former Children's Writer-in-Residence at Thurber House, for locating James before he froze without his winter coat!

(February 2020)

On National Hug Your Cat Day, James gave it a shot. He really did. “I am not a cat man, but a dog man, and all felines can tell this at a glance—a sharp, vindictive glance.” –James Thurber

(June 4, 2020)

James kept busy by playing Bananagrams at home. He knows it's cheating to use proper nouns, but the wordsmith in him can't resist sometimes.

(July 2020)

Every day is a good day to go Gaga. “P-P-P-Poker Face! P-P-Poker Face!”

(September 2020)

On November 3, James exercised his right to vote and got the word out to everyone to participate in this year’s presidential election.

(November 2020)