Ernest Hemingway House Museum

 

Ernest Hemingway House Museum

 I traveled to the Key West regularly to Tarpon fish but on this occasion I wanted to throw in some sightseeing.  Being a writer where else would you go  but the Hemingway home. They say the spirit of Hemingway roams the house in Key West and so I had to visit to see for myself.   I didn't see his spirit but a walk tour of the home and his life's story echoing in the halls you could not help feeling that you would see him around the next corner.  Then as a bonus to our initial purpose for the visit, I was delighted when the curator allowed myself and my film crew to enter into Hemingway's private second story study and observation room normally sealed off from the public to take the curator's filmed interview.  

When we walked across the courtyard and up the cement stairway leading to his observation room and study, we were met by a wrought iron gate at the threshold erected for the rooms protection.  There is no telling how long it had actually been since someone was allowed in the room but it was no doubt awhile as evidenced by the iron hinged creaking of the gate when it was swung open.

If there ever was a time where you believe you could see a spirit, this was it.  I don't know why but everyone entered on tip toes, like we were violating a sacred tomb.  The curtains were not sufficient to block the light that filtered in and the sprinkling of dust from our entry floated about setting the perfect lighting for a walk back into time.  

We where told that the typewriter there and the desk it was sitting on was where he hammered out some of his most famous works .  Being a writer myself I could imagine those hot nights he sought refuge in the cool evening breezes washing through the room, a drink on the desk, a soft light washing over the paper that recorded works that would become a part of our nations literary history.

When we finished our task I was given the very rare opportunity to sit by the desk and the famous typewriter.  On that same desk sat the original fishing reels he used on his boat the Pilar when he fished the Florida and Cuban waters for marlin.  As a writer and Hemingway admirer this was one of the most cherished moments of my life.