A vintage typewriter on a wooden desk beside a clipboard with handwritten notes, papers, and office supplies, with a window and cream curtains in the background.
A quote centered on a light beige background with a torn paper edge at the bottom, reading: 'At our core, we are caretakers of a story.' Below, additional text states: 'Eudora Welty believed that stories connect us across time, place, and perspective. The Eudora Welty Foundation carries that belief forward, preserving not just her home and works, but the spirit of creativity, curiosity, and generosity she embodied.'
A row of five colorful books standing upright, each with different colors and designs on the spines.

OUR mission

To preserve and promote the literary legacy of Eudora Welty by cultivating a vibrant space that encourages readers, writers, and scholars of all ages to engage with literature, creativity, and connection while supporting the home, garden, and works she cherished.

Illustration of five colorful books standing upright with varying heights and colors.

OUR vision

We imagine a world where Eudora’s life and work remain alive and relevant for generations to come.

That means:

  • Deepening public awareness of her legacy through storytelling, programs, and publications

  • Digitizing and sharing her collection so it reaches readers everywhere

  • Opening doors - literally and figuratively - to her home, photographs, and friendships inways that inspire connection and creativity

A lush garden with various flowering plants, including yellow, red, and pink flowers, and a small informational sign partially visible among the plants, under warm sunlight.
A woman wearing a hat and a long dress, standing outdoors near a tree, playing a ukulele, in front of a brick house with an open window.
A torn piece of paper with typed text titled "Our Story" explaining how Eudora paid attention to her neighbors, her garden, and the world through train windows and camera lenses, which influenced American literature.

The Foundation exists to keep that spirit alive.

Not by locking her letters away, but by bringing them to light. Not by placing her home behind glass, but by welcoming people through its doors. We are a living archive, a gathering place, and a spark for those who still believe in the power of story.

  • stewardship & legacy

    Preserving the past, inspiring the future.

    Eudora Welty once wrote that “One place understood helps us understand all places better.” Her home and her work are that place — a window into her world that continues to illuminate ours. The Eudora Welty Foundation, in close partnership with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, tends this legacy with care and imagination.

  • KEEPING STORIES ALIVE

    Stewardship, for us, is about human connection. We safeguard Eudora’s home and work so they can continue to spark new stories — whether it’s a student discovering her first short story, a scholar tracing her correspondence with other great writers, or a visitor stepping through the Welty garden in springtime.

    Her legacy lives not in the past, but in the way it continues to nurture creativity, community, and curiosity today.

  • A Partnership in Preservation

    The Welty House and Garden are preserved in collaboration with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH), whose stewardship ensures that every letter, photograph, and bloom is protected for generations to come. Together, we balance preservation with possibility — honoring the home exactly as Eudora left it, while opening its doors to visitors who seek connection and inspiration.