Description: These two wonderful attractions are situated just a few minutes walk from the hotel where I stayed. The museum was literally across the road at 200 N. Oak Park Avenue. It contains a superb collection of both permanent and temporary exhibits including photographs, letters, and memorabilia that chronicle his multi-faceted life. There are several large displays that detail various chapters of Hemingway’s life including The Oak Park Years, the Natural World, The Eye of the Writer, Hemingway’s Last War, Hemingway and Hollywood and finally, Hemingway and the Arts.
These various displays examine the different aspects of his rich and varied life. His only formal schooling was during his 6 years in Oak Park and this, combined with his early experiences of meeting people and keenly observing his surroundings, formed a natural foundation for his writing. He developed a huge interest in nature and the outdoor life which he always diarised. This too developed his writing style which in turn, stood him in good stead for his years as a journalist during WW11. It was some of these undoubtedly harrowing experiences that gave rise to the tales of fiction that he became famous for.
The Hollywood display examines how all these writings, photographs, and experiences translated to the big screen and there are several original movie posters depicting his revered works as well as cameras and movie paraphernalia.
Ernest Hemingway was born in Oak Park on 21 July 1899 in the house that remains as the other major tribute to his life at 339 N. Oak Park Avenue. It is a Queen Anne style house that had been constructed by Hemingway’s grandparents in 1890. It has received extensive renovation enabling visitors to enjoy the grand rooms and sumptuous Victorian decor. Many of the exhibits are original including porcelain, pictures, and furniture. It is also possible to view the upstairs of the house where various other members of the family resided, where Ernest was taught about the beauty of wildlife and where he shared the experiences of his great uncle who had travelled extensively around the globe. The house also contains a well-stocked library, the contents of which were always available for Ernest to enjoy.
The house is certainly of a beautiful design with its turret that originally contained a small museum where Ernest’s father kept his wildlife specimens. With so much to stimulate a young, enquiring mind, it is small wonder that Ernest developed such a wide-ranging interest in so many fields. In 1954 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for his “powerful, style-making mastery of the art of modern narration”.
Some 45 years after his death, he is still warmly remembered as a master story-teller who attracts fresh generations of devoted readers eager for his superbly written tales of adventure, both factual and fictional. If you have the pleasure of visiting Oak Park please make a trip to both these attractions top priority.
Open Sun-Fri 1pm-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm
Admission $7 includes both sites
Close