Soon after his arrival, Hemingway met Charles Thompson, the owner of a local hardware store. Charles Thompson introduced Hemingway to the sizzling water sport of fishing, and thus they became close friends. Both Ernest and his wife Pauline gradually became so fond of Key West and its local people that they made up their minds to remain there permanently!
In 1931, after two seasons in Key West, Pauline's wealthy Uncle Gus gifted the Hemingway couple, a beautifully structured, Spanish Colonial house on Whitehead Street. The original home was built in 1851, and sparkled with the native rock buried on the grounds. The home was in withering shape when Ernest Hemingway and his wife took ownership, but both Ernest and Pauline decided to resurrect this grand old architecture from the rubbles!
The home was completely remodelled to give shape to today's historical landmark that invites thousands of tourists from around the world. It is generally a stop on most Key West tours.
The Hemingway Home Tour
Earnest Hemingway pursued a prolific writing career during his long 10 years stay in this home. He found a great source of inspiration in the turquoise waters of the ocean. Hemingway often moved around with his fishing mates in a group, popularly known as the "Mob", and everyone in the group had a nickname. Hemingway was referred to by his friends and family during this time as "Papa".
Hemingway's Key West shows up on his works many times and in his writing career, he frequently used locations and characters directly derived from his personal experiences in Key West. Many Key West residents appear as characters in his novel "To Have and Have Not," a novel about Key West during the Great Depression. Ernest's presence can still be felt in his studio where he created some of his finest works.
As you will step inside the stately rooms, you will be automatically pulled back in time witness Hemingway's spirit permeating through the air, the furniture, and the art d' facts preserved in the museum. Most of the furniture, trophies, and souvenirs are reminiscent of Ernest's foreign trips to Europe, Africa, or the Americas
The lush green lawns and the beautiful flowers in the garden, along with more than forty cats that live here will bring back fresh memories of a large, lively family that lived a full life here. Though Hemingway was away in Cuba after his divorce from Pauline in 1940, he continued to visit Key West during the 40's and 50's until he died in 1961.
Guided tours are regularly conducted to provide insightful details about this great novelist's life and writings. The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum welcomes thousands of visitors from around the world.
Orignal From: The Grand Old Home of Ernest Hemingway in Key West
