Fascinating historic places can be found throughout the Prairie State. If you’re someone who loves both literature and history, a visit to the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum in Illinois may be in order. Here you will learn about the early life of the acclaimed author along with the influence his early upbringing had on his writing.
Acclaimed author Ernest Hemingway began his life in a large Victorian house located in Oak Park, Illinois. He was born on July 21, 1899, in a bedroom located on the second floor.
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This Queen Anne Victorian house was built in 1890 by his maternal grandparents, nine years prior to the author’s birth. He spent the first six years of his life here which are thought to be his most formative years.
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In 1992, the house was restored to how it looked when Hemingway lived here. Today, it is owned and run by The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park which has a mission to educate and explore the connection the author had with his first home and Oak Park.
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When you visit, you’ll learn about the author as well as his family. His father, Clarence Edmonds Hemingway, was a physician while his mother, Grace Hall Hemingway, was a musician. Ernest Hemingway’s musical education taught by his mother helped influence his writing style.
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With period furnishings and photographs of the Hemingway family, you’ll gain a bit of insight into the author’s formative years and feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the turn of the 20th century.
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Your museum tour guide will share stories about the Hemingway family and their life here in Oak Park. Prepare to be fascinated by what you learn!
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Tours last approximately 45 minutes long and can be booked online ahead of time. If you are unable to attend a tour in person, live virtual tours are also offered with advanced reservations.
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Have you visited the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum in Illinois? If you have, please tell us about it in the comments along with your favorite work by the author. For more information and to reserve your tour tickets, visit the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum website.
If you enjoy visiting historic homes and buildings, head to Quincy, Illinois, a town that’s filled with historical architecture!
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Address: 339 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, USA
