The Bridges Family resided at the Edgewood Castle (as Eleanor called it) from 1921-1987. Their family consisted of Eleanor, Georges, and their daughter Mary Eleanor, also known as London. According to Eleanor’s audio interview, they also “adopted” 15 children during the 1930s that lived with them, 10 at a time for at least 10 years. These children were part of a education experiment they were conducting that was similar to the montessori method, but with a personalized plan for each child according to their personality. Their hope was to cultivate artistic genius. Some of the children were sent by friends and family to be a part of this experiment and others came in need from the local coal mines.
Do you have photos of the Bridges or the children in your own collection? Please allow us to scan them for our records or email a photograph of them to ellisholley@gmail.com. Please let us know if you would you like a scan of something from the Ellis Family Collection.
Nov 27 1978. Eleanor Bridges. Ellis Family Collection.
Sept 1958 Eleanor and Georges in the front garden. https://www.facebook.com/savethehomewoodpinkhouse/photos/a.1405460269555642/1480741848694150/?type=3&theater
Eleanor. Date Unknown. https://www.facebook.com/savethehomewoodpinkhouse/photos/a.1405460269555642/1443113522456983/?type=3&theater
Eleanor with one of her famed dog drawings. Date Unknown.
Georges in the front garden. Date Unknown. Collection of Judy Jones.
Granddaughter Lauren Weller. Date Unknown. https://www.facebook.com/savethehomewoodpinkhouse/photos/a.1421642311270771/1460015630766772/?type=3&theater
Dec 13 1976. The last work of Georges is celebrated. This Thomas Jefferson statue sits at the Jefferson Country Court House. Commissioned by the Birmingham Bar Association.
March 27 1961. Georges working on bust of Mayor James W Morgan, given to the Jimmy Morgan Zoo.
Jan 1 1972 Birmingham’s Centennial Celebration. Eleanor is dressed as Lou Wooster at a costume contest (she won 2nd place). Pictured with Ted Weeks.
March 6 1946 Georges Bridges
March 3 1961 Eleanor (left) and Mrs. E M Friend JR promote the opera. Ellis Family Collection.
September 2 1958. Mrs. Van Scott (left), Eleanor, and Mrs. George Rust (right) volunteering on the First Valley Theater Production Committee. Ellis Family Collection.
Sept 19 1953 Eleanor “Birmingham Woman of the Year.”
Ellis Family Collection.
Jan 27 1964. Eleanor painting in the Pink House.
Aug 25 1958 “Club Woman” Eleanor. Ellis Collection
Nov 21, 1941 Eleanor. Ellis Family Collection
1966
Unknown Date
June 14 1965 Eleanor presents the Museum of Art with gift. (Mrs. William Bowron, left). Ellis Collection.
Feb 3 1982 Eleanor with her “Cyclorama” of Birmingham history. Ellis Family Collection.
Eleanor in the Pink House Garden House Oct 30, 1980
Ellis Family Collection
Unknown Date
Georges in the front garden. Unknown Date.
Unknown date
July 30, 1969. Georges with his sculpture honoring the famous Five Crommelin Brothers. Commissioned by the Women’s Committee of 100, Birmingham. It sits at the USS Alabama Memorial Park (dedicated May 23, 1970). Ellis Family Collection.
Nov 18 1951. Daughter London sketching daughter, Lauren Weller, on the Pink House stairs. Ellis Family Collection
March 6, 1967. Eleanor and Georges at their first dual art show together. Painting is of Eleanors brother, Richard Massey Jr., a 1935 Ramsey High graduate. Ellis Family Collection
March 9, 1981 Eleanor and Pup Krishna. Ellis Family Collection.
Feb 3 1961 Mary Eleanor Bridges and Raphael Coppola, maker of the bronze Mamie Fogarty Award presented to Mary Eleanor that year at the Beaux Arts Ball. Ellis Family Collection.
Mary Eleanor (left) Unknown date
1984 Eleanor (far right) in her infamous hat at the Fogerty Awards.
Mary Eleanor (left) Unknown Date
1955 Mary Eleanor
Eleanor and granddaughter Laurie Weller. Unknown Date. Ellis Family Collection.
May 19 1980. Eleanor (right) and Frances Harris. Music Club Luncheon Honorees. Ellis Family Collection.
Sept 5 1976 Eleanor, age 77, enrolls at Samford. Cathy Hardman (left). Ellis Family Collection.
July 29 1979 Eleanor with Berney Evans preparing for a portrait of “Scout.” Ellis Family Collection.