Wrentham Outlets Celebrate Helen Keller With Striking Mural

Though Helen Keller isn't often associated with New England, her time and work in Massachusetts is now being remembered with a new mural at the Wrentham Outlets.

Shoppers have a beautiful, larger-than-life reminder of the author and activist's achievements thanks to artist Jenna Billian, a Wrentham native and Framingham State graduate.

But the artwork isn't the only addition to the shopping center this fall.

Amazing Wrentham Artwork

The building-spanning painting welcoming shoppers to Wrentham features nods to many local things. The K.P. initials for the area's King Phillip regional school district, the large, red apple for the beloved Big Apple Farm in town and the silhouette of a famous, but often forgotten Wrentham resident: Helen Keller.

Helen Keller's Hidden Ties to Wrentham, MA

While still in her early 20's, Helen Keller, along with her teacher Anne Sullivan, moved to a farm in Wrentham in 1903. The pair bought seven acres and a three-story house, where they lived and worked for 14 years.

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The property was purchased mainly for its secluded location, since Keller was very focused on her writing at this time. While living at the Wrentham farm on East Street (now Route 140), Keller wrote three books, including the serialized version of her autobiography, The Story of My Life.

Today Keller's farmhouse has been converted into apartments and the acres of land around it are mostly other homes at this point. Still the town has never forgotten this famous former resident.

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In 1980 a historical marker was erected in her honor and now the Wrentham Outlets have debuted their new mural between the Nike and Banana Republic stores with a dedication to Keller painted inside it.

Other New Community Additions at Wrentham Outlets

The mural is just one of several new community additions to the shopping center. A little free library is now on site near the Lululemon store and several Doggie Stations have been set up along Wrentham Street, making outdoor shopping with your pup a more enjoyable experience.