My parents introduced me to a lot of old movies when I was young, among them, "The Miracle Worker."   So I was riveted this morning when news broke that a rare piece of history related to that film had been uncovered.

"The Miracle Worker" is the true story of Helen Keller, a woman who became a teacher and author despite being blind, deaf and mute.  Helen was the victim of a severe case of scarlet fever when she was just a toddler. Her inability to communicate left her frustrated and violent.  She would fly into uncontrollable rages that terrified her family. 

Her desperate parents sought help from the Perkins Institute, which sent them a teacher named Anne Sullivan to tutor their daughter.  Through persistence, determination and love Anne breaks into Helen's isolated world, and teaches her to communicate.  It is a wonderful story about the difference the love of a teacher can make in the life of a child with great disabilities.

I have seen many pictures of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan over the years, but this is the earliest photograph of them known to exist.  The photo was taken in 1888 and shows Helen when she was just eight years old, holding hands with her teacher Anne.  According to the film, when Anne first arrived to teach Helen, she gave her a doll as a present. And "doll" was the first world Helen ever learned how to spell.  This newly discovered picture is litereally the key scene of a great movie come to life.

It was found in an old photo album of a family whose ancestors were friends with Helen Keller's family.  It is an incredible find.  And one can only wonder what other great historic photographs are tucked away in albums or boxes somewhere in the world, just waiting to be revealed as poignant pieces of history. 

If you've never seen "The Miracle Worker", I highly suggest you rent it.  It's probably one of the best old films ever made.