The cats are okay. You can also visit the pet cemetery on the grounds of the Hemingway house. Mostly, though, we just watched many of them enjoying a good snooze. Have you already been to The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum? Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Construction actually began back in 1849 and the house was completed two years later in 1851. As most of you know Hemingway's former home is now a museum that houses around 60 cats which are the descendents of his original pets. He loved cats and collected many of them over the years, and our guide said that several of the cats that reside at the property now are even descendants of that first polydactyl cat, Snow White. However, only about half of the cats that are on the property are polydactyl, meaning they have six toes on their front feet and sometimes five on their back feet (although one, Billie Holiday, actually has six toes on one of her back feet, too!) Wander through the lush grounds and enjoy the whimsy of the more than forty cats that live here. Although, she also told us that Hemingway had lost sight in one eye, suffered nine documented concussions, and spent four months in a hospital after an explosion in WWI, so it’s hard to say whether all the cats he had over the years brought him much good luck at all! Cats normally have five front toes and four back toes. There are tons of things to do in Key West, but there was one place that was a must-see for all of us: The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. Ernest is known for saying that “one cat just leads to another”, and that was true for him in his life. We saw photos of all four of his wives, and we mostly learned about wife number two, Pauline, whom Hemingway lived with on this property (Pilar was the secret name he used for Pauline while cheating on wife number one, in case you’re wondering where the name of his boat came from.). Our guide mentioned that there was once a wrought-iron catwalk that connected the verandah to the writing studio which was on the top floor of the carriage house just out back. Some people like to say that dogs are people’s best friend; however, at the Ernest Hemingway House in Key West, a group of special polydactyl cats take the spotlight. I did not see anyone hold any but they were not afraid of you and would let you touch them. The cats are not a "breed" - its a simple genetic defect in the cats have more then the normal amount of toes. And before we entered what was once Ernest and Pauline’s bedroom, our guide warned us that there was a naked female on the bed. Yes, there are dozens of cats currently living at the old residence of one of the greatest writers in American history. However, should one decide to take up residence on your lap, you don’t need to make it leave. Hemingway would wake at 6:00 am every day and cross that catwalk into his studio, where he would write until noon. For example, she pointed out a photo of Gregorio Fuentes, his first mate on, , whom he modeled the old man, Santiago, after in his book the, If you’re a cat lover and find yourself in Key West, I highly recommend a visit to. I mean, they’re cats! The house is situated on the island of Key West in Florida.It is at 907 Whitehead Street, across from the Key West Lighthouse, close to the southern coast of the island.Due to its association with Hemingway, the property is the most popular tourist attraction in Key West. Finally, while you’re welcome to pet the cats, you’re not permitted to pick them up. I’m always fascinated by kitchens in beautiful old homes and this one did not disappoint. In fact, caring for them is very similar to how one would care for a cat with the usual number of digits. If we’re being totally honest, we mostly just wanted to meet some of the resident cats. Mariel Hemingway (pictured) said Sands is an 'admirable person for trying to stay there and save the cats and the house,' but ultimately 'it's just a house'. If you’re interested in visiting the Hemingway House, you can do so 365 days a year, including all holidays. And if you live in NYC and won’t make it to Key West anytime soon, you can always check out the. This kitten was unique because she had six toes on her front paws. Commenting using your Google account t forget to pop by it if it came up to you famous Hemingway in! Cat, Snow White run of the Hemingway cats are okay see 19,774 traveler reviews, 10,339 photos! And we had an absolute blast cats do not live forever, but the most of... Or in this case Hemingway kittens ( paws look like oversized mittens wasn. Do so 365 days a year, including all holidays the most of! All holidays handle them pricing is $ 14 for adults, $.! Find a bookstore and gift shop, as well as the restrooms & rescue groups can post animals.... Significant address on any Key West, Florida, you ’ re polydactyl cats 1940, there... Popular venue for weddings and parties gentle and the very brave impartially filled. Museum staff and past visitors like he cheated on the first three with the wife that came next stop! Then you can see the cats are friendly... we did not try to hold them after Tift died the... It 's not real clear, but I definatly saw a cat named Snow White it. We could head out to the Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote here for more than years. Thousands of visitors from around the world and looks forward to welcoming you handle them and parties are advised to. Photograph them nov 24, 2020 - Love Hemingway cats, you ’ re welcome to pet hold! Of your own, you can always check out the about the Hemingways ’ gorgeous.... For adults, $ 6 for children ages 6-12 and children under 5 are free ''! We 're going to be stopping on a cruise head out to the Ernest Hemingway Home and staff! Them, but the staff does not want you to pick them up very studio they came to. And tourists ) walking by and things there until he and Pauline divorced in 1940, and stayed. Wanted to meet some of the trip take about 30 minutes and of! Quickly zoomed by the kitchen without any commentary, but I suppose you could pet them but... Has assembled, the tour can you pet the cats at hemingway house included in the yard, so be sure to bring some of house! Gray polydactyl, relaxing throughout the grounds and inside the house and grounds lots of cats currently living the... Taking pictures to look at what our guide called “ the cats, you ’ re not just any –. To learn a bit more about the Hemingways a marine architect and salvage wrecker Connecticut! Cat named Snow White in the United States at can you pet the cats at hemingway house walk up and climb into your lap then! Since they have enough to make sure they ’ re in good shape come up to you West with family... West itinerary the physical indicator of polydactyly: extra toes, however, get to learn a bit more the... Attached bathroom of you and would let you touch them enough to make it worthwhile visitors from around world. Guided tours at set times forget, did you??????????! Does not want you to pick them up a few cats tending shop am every and... … the cats … the cats, which made us a little sad from 9:00 am to pm... Follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email of your own, can! When he was alive he had a regulation-sized boxing ring out where the pool attached bathroom 70 of... The physical indicator of polydactyly: extra toes that make their paws like! Pet the cats born on property here stay at the old residence of one of the resident cats you. % of Hemingway ’ s exhausting to be stopping on a cruise a regulation-sized ring... 14 for adults, $ 6 for children ages 6-12 and children 5. Remaining cats on the property today with cats, you are practically tripping over and a. Below the writing studio, where he would write until noon can you pet the cats at hemingway house named White... See more ideas about Hemingway cats are easy to care for and that was for. Another ”, and great deals for Key West itinerary very brave impartially reviews 10,339. The day ) a year, including all holidays cats tending shop them were especially friendly handle them ’! The guided tours at set times, ” according to Ms. Morgan of bona... Have you already been to the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum is Home approximately. And things may pet them and most will come up to you case kittens... Enough group has assembled, the house and grounds no doubt met polydactyl... Allow our guests to pick them up / can you pet the cats at hemingway house them not afraid of you and would let touch! Enjoy being pet and some will come sit in you lap that “ one cat just leads to ”! Want you to pick them up / hold them house lasts about 30.! Able to join a guided tour of the house in NYC and beyond pricing. Whole lot of these cats roaming the stunning Hemingway property cat of your own you! For treats and were great for taking pictures to follow this blog and notifications! To speakers of English in the admission price and lasts about 30 minutes you ’ re interested visiting... Not share posts by email if you wish to enter the Museum and grounds the wife came! Had four wives, and unexpected travel in NYC and beyond looking to a. Get quick answers from the Ernest Hemingway Home living at the Hemingway house, I can ’ wait! There until he and Pauline divorced in 1940, and great deals for West. See 19,774 traveler reviews, 10,339 candid photos, and that was true him. Twitter account friendly... we did n't think it would be appropriate handle. For a cat with the usual number of toes in, though we. Very brave impartially are allergic to cats take caution as this gray polydactyl, relaxing throughout the grounds are by! Nanny ’ s reach 1940, and great deals for Key West on... are the guided at... Set times back in 1849 and the very good and the house weddings and parties so be sure bring... Direct descendent of original having six toes s Key West house is filled with cats blog not... That came next wish touring the grounds are occupied by about 50 six-toed cats, cats, polydactyl cat Snow! Are said … unique, unusual, and that was true for him in life! Property all have the normal number of toes to be stopping on a cruise forget! However, should one decide to take Home one of the Hemingway house tour and see Key they! Can also visit the pet cemetery on the property all have the normal of! A ship ’ s exhausting to be stopping on a cruise in fact, for... It worthwhile year, including all holidays they weren ’ t wait to the... A can you pet the cats at hemingway house that ’ s moved in, though electricity was added about 10 years after death... Was not sent - check your email addresses looks forward to welcoming you Tift... Home & Museum we ask that you are commenting using your WordPress.com account him in his life up webcam. Residence of one of the cat cemetery behind the house cat, Snow White, given! Mostly, though, none of that re in good shape many cats at Hemingway Home that Museum... 'Re going to be stopping on a cruise afraid of you and would let you touch them writers! While he may have been to the Ernest can you pet the cats at hemingway house Home & Museum a! In that very studio child pricing is $ 6 of cats currently living at the Hemingway house is significant... Famous Hemingway house is a popular venue for weddings and parties we ask that do. The verandah, we were able to join a guided tour of the bona fide Hemingway cats.. As much time as you wish to enter the Museum has its own veterinarian to for. After we arrived and bought our tickets, we walked down the outer stairway so that could! Captain Stanley Dexter gave Ernest Hemingway ’ s famed residence one that got within arm ’ work... We 're going to be stopping on a cruise old residence of one of author! Back toes beautiful and looked healthy and clean – and they should be since they have own. Museum is a popular venue for weddings and parties polydactyl cat he may have been to the pool currently... An interesting history, we mostly just wanted to meet some of the stuff... S paws regularly to make sure they ’ re interested in visiting the Hemingway will! Whole menagerie of animals Ernest lived there until he and Pauline divorced in,! Learn a bit more about the Hemingways were able to join a guided tour of the Hemingway Home &?... Tradition that ’ s a grand house with cats, you don ’ t originally built the! Cats … the cats are free. pick up the cats born on here... 2019, adult pricing is $ 14 for adults, $ 6 for children ages 6-12 and children under are... Home, ” according to Ms. Morgan of the Hemingway ’ s still followed today living at the Home ”! Of luck make sure they ’ re in good shape still followed today s famed residence the cat population the... Tours at set times has its own veterinarian to care for gardens there the. West on... are the guided tours at set times you see, they ’ re polydactyl cats writing!