The Ghost in the Garden: Zelda’s "Beautiful and Damned" Relationship with Her Ro

A Guided Forum with Alaina Dotten & Marie Martello of the Fitzgerald Museum

Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald is often remembered as a shimmering icon of the Jazz Age, yet her identity was deeply rooted in the "perfumed decay" of the American South. Join us for a provocative, guided forum as we peel back the layers of the woman behind the myth.

Featuring Alaina Dotten and Marie Martello from the Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, this evening explores Zelda’s rebellious youth in Montgomery and her lifelong, conflicted love for a South caught between its aristocratic past and a modernizing future.

The Discussion

This is not a traditional lecture, but a guided conversation. We will navigate the "Ghost of the Confederacy" that haunted her upbringing and examine whether her "Flapper" persona was a true break from tradition—or simply a modern evolution of the performative Southern Belle.

Evening Itinerary

• 4:00 PM | The Collective Canvas: Contribute to our Community Art Project as we prepare the space for the evening’s reflections.
• 5:00 PM | Happy Hour & House Tours: Settle in with a cocktail and enjoy limited, intimate tours of the Zelda Dearest property.
• 6:00 PM | The Forum: A deep-dive discussion and moderated Q&A exploring the themes of "The Beautiful and Damned."
• 8:00 PM | Social & Reflection: An hour for continued conversation, individual questions, and community connection.

"I am a stranger in a strange land, and I am the only person of my kind." — Zelda Fitzgerald