Ernest Hemingway House

Ernest Hemingway House
Andreas Lamecker · CC BY 2.5 · source
Name	Ernest Hemingway House
Caption	The Spanish Colonial style house in Key West
Location	Key West, Florida, United States
Built	1851
Architect	Asa Tift
Architecture	Spanish Colonial
Designated nrhp type	November 24, 1968
Added	November 24, 1968
Refnum	68000023

Ernest Hemingway House. The Ernest Hemingway House is a historic writer's home and museum located at 907 Whitehead Street in Key West, Florida. Constructed in 1851 from native limestone, the two-story house is a prime example of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United States. It is famed as the residence of author Ernest Hemingway from 1931 to 1939, a period during which he produced some of his most celebrated works. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968, the property is now a popular museum that preserves the author's legacy and is internationally known for its population of polydactyl cats.

History

The house was built in 1851 by local marine architect and salvager Asa Tift, a prominent figure in early Key West history, using quarried limestone from the property's grounds. Following Tift's ownership, the property changed hands several times before being purchased in 1931 by Pauline Pfeiffer, the second wife of Ernest Hemingway. The couple undertook significant renovations, including the installation of one of the first residential swimming pools in Key West and the addition of a distinctive wrought iron gate. After Hemingway's departure and subsequent death, the house was sold and eventually opened to the public as a museum in the 1960s. Its historical importance was formally recognized when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968.

Architecture and grounds

The main house is a robust two-story structure built in the Spanish Colonial style, characterized by its thick limestone walls, covered balconies, and a hip roof covered in barrel tile. The interior features original Dade County pine flooring and ceilings, along with many furnishings and artifacts from Hemingway's era. The lush, walled grounds encompass nearly an acre and feature tropical flora, the historic in-ground swimming pool, and the separate carriage house studio where Hemingway wrote. The studio, accessible by a catwalk from the main house, remains preserved with his original Royal typewriter and other personal effects, overlooking the scenic property.

Hemingway's residency

Ernest Hemingway and Pauline Pfeiffer moved into the house in 1931, and it served as his primary residence for nearly a decade. This period in Key West was immensely productive for Hemingway; in his second-floor studio, he wrote or revised major works including Death in the Afternoon, Green Hills of Africa, To Have and Have Not, and the classic short story The Snows of Kilimanjaro. The house was a social hub, hosting notable visitors like John Dos Passos, Waldo Peirce, and Max Perkins. Hemingway's time here coincided with his deep-sea fishing adventures aboard his boat, the Pilar, in the waters of the Gulf Stream and the Florida Straits.

Museum and tours

Operated as a private museum, the site offers daily guided and self-guided tours that provide access to the preserved first and second floors of the main house, the writing studio, and the extensive grounds. Docents share anecdotes about Hemingway's life, his works, and the history of Key West. The museum maintains a high degree of authenticity, displaying original furniture, Hemingway's personal book collection, hunting trophies from his safaris in Africa, and numerous photographs from his career. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Florida Keys and a frequent stop for literary pilgrims.

Cats of the Hemingway House

The property is world-famous for its colony of approximately 40-50 polydactyl cats, many of which are descendants of a white polydactyl cat named Snow White given to Hemingway by a ship's captain. These cats, possessing a genetic trait for extra toes, roam the grounds freely and are cared for by the museum staff. The cats have become a major attraction in their own right, with names often inspired by celebrities and figures from Hemingway's life, such as Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin. Their presence is protected under a special license from the United States Department of Agriculture.

Cultural significance

Beyond its architectural and historical value, the house stands as a monument to American literature and the creative process of one of the 20th century's most influential writers. It has been featured in numerous documentaries, television programs, and publications related to Ernest Hemingway and Key West. The site actively contributes to literary preservation and education, often participating in events like the annual Key West Literary Seminar. Its enduring appeal lies in its unique combination of literary history, distinctive architecture, and the living legacy of its feline residents, making it a multifaceted cultural icon. Category:Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Florida Category:Museums in Monroe County, Florida Category:Ernest Hemingway Category:Houses in Key West, Florida Category:National Historic Landmarks in Florida Category:Writer's homes in the United States