At 907 Whitehead Street in Old Town Key West, the Hemingway Home and Museum preserves the Spanish Colonial-style house where Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote in the 1930s. Walk through rooms furnished with his belongings, then visit the gardens and writing space above the gift shop. The property is also home to descendants of Hemingway’s six-toed cat, Snow White. A guided tour adds stories about Hemingway’s life on the island; interpretive signs let you explore at your own pace.
The house on Whitehead Street
The museum is at 907 Whitehead Street in Old Town, across from the Key West Lighthouse. Ernest Hemingway lived in the house with his second wife, Pauline, during the 1930s. The property is a Spanish Colonial-style residence, built in 1851 and later maintained as a museum.
The rooms retain furnishings and personal belongings associated with Hemingway and his family. Photographs, books and other memorabilia offer a view of the writer’s life at home. Walking through the preserved rooms gives the visit its historical focus, while the gardens and cats bring you outdoors.
Hemingway’s writing spaces
Hemingway wrote in a small studio separate from the main house. One account describes it as a cabin connected to the house by a rope bridge. Look for the writing loft above the gift shop as you explore the grounds.
Hemingway’s years in Key West were a productive period in his career. The property is associated with works including To Have and Have Not and For Whom the Bell Tolls. A guided tour can add details about his life and writing; interpretive signs offer another way to learn as you move around the site.
The garden, pool and cats
The grounds include tropical plants and a swimming pool. The pool’s construction is part of the stories told on tours, along with an anecdote about a penny set into the patio. The garden also gives you time outside the house, among flowering plants and water lilies.
Six-toed cats roam the property. They are descendants of Snow White, a cat said to have been given to Hemingway by a ship captain. Keep an eye out as you walk through the garden and around the house; the cats are part of the museum’s living history.
Planning your visit
You can explore with a guided tour or use the interpretive signs to go at your own pace. Tours focus on Hemingway’s life and the history of the house, with stories about the rooms, pool and grounds. Allow around 30 to 60 minutes for a visit, based on the reported tour length and time to see the property.
The museum recommends getting tickets in advance. Arriving early can help you avoid the busiest crowds. The house and gardens are the main draw, so leave time to look through both rather than spending the entire visit indoors.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is the Hemingway Home and Museum?
It is at 907 Whitehead Street in Old Town Key West, across from the Key West Lighthouse.
How long does a visit take?
A tour is reported to take about 20 to 30 minutes. Allow 30 to 60 minutes to see the house and grounds.
Can you visit without a guided tour?
Yes. You can explore at your own pace using the interpretive signs around the property.
Are there six-toed cats at the Hemingway Home?
Yes. Cats descended from Hemingway’s six-toed cat, Snow White, roam the property.
