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When Joe Russell, Hemingway’s buddy and the owner of Sloppy Joe’s moved his establishment, he enlisted the help of his patrons to transport the contents of the bar to its new location. The Hemingway property has two notable fountains with interesting histories. Asa Tift constructed the fountain, and it’s in the form of an ironclad ship. The Hemingway Home and Museum is open every day, including all holidays, from 9 AM until 5 PM. In the garden, in a grove of bamboo, I sprawl across the bench and open the book. “He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish,’’ is the first sentence.
Hemingway in Key West
A two-month African safari in 1933 left him dangerously ill but provided both the inspiration for his famed short story “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” and trunks full of animal trophies, put on display in Key West. When Hemingway left to report on the Spanish Civil War in 1937, Pfeiffer decided to surprise him by building a pool, the first to be built on Key West. Pfeiffer, well acquainted with her husband’s often unstable moods, calmly had the penny embedded in concrete, forever immortalizing his outburst. Hemingway helped make Key West famous, and he and the city became almost impossibly intertwined during his years there.
The Outbuildings and Property Layout
If you’re planning to also visit the famous Southernmost Point Buoy, it’s right down the road. From there I stand on the veranda and gaze down at the swimming pool, the first swimming pool in the city, and beyond that to the bungalow where, surrounded by animal heads and stuffed fish, he wrote in longhand. Writers have always loved the Keys, none more famous than Ernest Hemingway, who bought a beautiful Spanish colonial home at 907 Whitehead Street in 1931 and stayed eight years. Regardless of the legend behind the pool, it was an architectural feat in 1937. To construct the first in-ground pool in Key West, solid coral had to be excavated with picks and sledgehammers. The only pool within 100 miles, it measured 24 feet by 60 feet and was filled with 80,000+ gallons of salt water which had to be drilled because there was no running water (at the time).
Ernest Hemingway's Florida House Impacted by Hurricane Ian, but Famous Six-Toed Cats Are Fine - PEOPLE
Ernest Hemingway's Florida House Impacted by Hurricane Ian, but Famous Six-Toed Cats Are Fine.
Posted: Thu, 29 Sep 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The Ernest Hemingway House and Museum in Key West
The Hemingway Home & Museum in Key West houses an extensive array of Ernest Hemingway’s personal items, each providing insight into the life and work of one of America’s most celebrated writers. Whether or not you believe the Hemingway cats will give you good luck, the cats themselves are certainly lucky. They have the run of the property, and you’ll often find them napping in unexpected places in and around the house. The cats don’t seem to mind their human visitors and enjoy pets and scratches from their adoring fans. Hemingway loved polydactyl cats, especially because sailors believed they bring good luck. Hemingway suffered multiple serious injuries and survived numerous accidents during his life.

It is a reminder of the many works he wrote while living in Key West, including To Have and Have Not, which was largely set in Key West. In the fall of 1921, he married Hadley Richardson, eight years his senior, and, on the advice of friends, the couple moved to Paris later that year. The Hemingways quickly became part of a group of American expatriates who poured into the French capital in the decade after WWI, including F. Dubbed the “Lost Generation,” they wrote, painted and composed by day, and drank, debated and caroused the City of Lights by night.
At age 16 his first piece of short fiction was published in his high school literary magazine. The Community Library honors the House as a contemplative, non-commercial space, and they are prioritizing ongoing preservation efforts and a writer-in-residence program there. You can take a virtual tour of the House[8] and learn more about Hemingway's time in Idaho through the Library's digital Hemingway library. The writing studio at the Hemingway House is not only a physical space but also represents a sanctuary of creativity. Hemingway was known for his disciplined writing routine, dedicating each morning to his craft.
The Tift family: 1851-1931
No reservations required for this back-in-time experience and tickets can be purchased at the gate.

A simple wooden desk, typewriter, and bookshelves filled with classics set the stage for the literary magic that took place here. The natural light streaming through the windows creates an ambiance conducive to creativity, providing a glimpse into the environment where Hemingway crafted his timeless prose. Regardless of their true origins, the Hemingway Cats have become beloved mascots of the Hemingway House. Visitors are often greeted by these friendly felines as they explore the grounds and tour the historic home. Many of the cats have names that pay homage to Hemingway and his literary works, such as Papa, Hemmy, and Santiago.
The tranquil atmosphere and captivating architecture of the house offer a serene backdrop for visitors to connect with Hemingway’s creative spirit and appreciate the historical significance of this iconic landmark. Hemingway lived in this house from 1931 to 1939, years during which he wrote some of his greatest novels as well as short stories and poems. Among the most famous works that Hemingway completed in the Key West estate include were Death in The Afternoon, The Green Hills of Africa, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, and To Have and Have Not. The Hemingway Home & Museum offers a diverse range of educational opportunities designed for learners of all ages, focusing on the life and works of Ernest Hemingway. From in-person tours to workshops and a variety of online resources, the museum serves as a critical point of learning and engagement for students, writers, and enthusiasts. A variety of memorabilia and ephemera related to Hemingway are on display, such as personal letters, fishing gear, and awards.
There he wrote the nonfiction Green Hills of Africa (1935), the novel To Have and Have Not (1937), and the short stories “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” and “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” (both 1936). As visitors roam the rooms of this historic residence turned museum, they can feel the energy and presence of one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. From Hemingway’s writing studio where masterpieces were born to the iconic living room adorned with memorabilia from his fishing adventures, every corner of the house tells a story.
Everyone in The Mob had a nickname, and Hemingway was often referred to by his friends and family during this time was “Papa”—it was a moniker that eventually stuck with him throughout his life. It was filled with interesting people, ranging from well-to-do businessmen and lawyers, to down-on-their-luck fishermen, to shipwreck salvagers. Soon after arrival, Hemingway made the acquaintance of Charles Thompson, who ran the local hardware store. Charles Thompson introduced Hemingway to the exciting world of big game sport fishing, and a long friendship was born. Charles and his wife Lorine entertained the Hemingways at their home on Fleming Street.
At present, the grounds of the Ernest Hemingway House are maintained as a beautiful garden with several tropical plants, after Hemingway left this house and moved to Cuba. The Navy installed a waterline to this house from the mainland to provide water for the creation of this garden. Except a chandelier, none of the books, furniture, cats, and other items on display in the house at present that guides claim as belongings of Hemingway have no authentic connection to Hemingway. Still, the Ernest Hemingway House remains a historical attraction in Key West and it is definitely worth visiting to commemorate the famous writer.
Weddings are held in the garden, and the property can be rented for daytime or evening events, large or small. Private evening tours can also be arranged for you and your guests, so you can experience Hemingway like never before. While you can explore the home on your own, we recommend that you go on one of the guided tours. One of the things you may first notice is the remarkable resemblance of some of the staff members to the writer. In addition to its historical significance, the Ernest Hemingway House also serves as a reminder of one of America’s most iconic authors and his lasting impact on literature. The pool has a mammoth 80,784 gallon capacity, and at the time of installation there was no fresh running water in Key West.
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