Teachers know that travel, in addition to being fun and intellectually stimulating, is one of the most meaningful experiential learning opportunities available for both themselves and for their students. Winter Break, which is fast approaching, is a great time for travel! Recently, I returned from a vacation to Key West, Florida, and while I was there I could see several opportunities for incorporating travel experiences into classroom curriculum.

The author stands in front of the Hemingway Home and Museum located in Key West, Florida. Photo credit: Hal Marzell

Language Arts teachers may be particularly interested in exploring the Hemingway Home and Museum. The residence was originally built in 1851. The structure features a French Colonial architectural style. Hemingway lived there with his second wife, Pauline Pfeiffer, from 1931 to 1939. In 1968, the home was designated a National Historic Landmark.

The house is lovely, decorated in French furnishings that the couple bought in Paris before moving to Florida, and augmented by the French chandeliers that Pauline particularly liked. In contrast, the kitchen seemed very basic and plain to me. Perhaps Pauline didn’t like to cook much? The living room features one entire wall dedicated to Hemingway’s manly sporting interests and hunting trophies, but this display seemed more like a museum exhibit that a homemaker’s decorative element. And I loved the

Hemingway’s private study, which his wife Pauline decorated to reflect his masculine taste. Photo credit: Terry Lee Marzell

I particularly enjoyed viewing the author’s private study, which Pauline had converted for her husband from the detached carriage house. Visitors can’t go inside, but they can get a splendid view through some wrought iron gate work at the doorway. This room is decorated in a masculine style more in keeping with Hemingway’s tastes. It was in this room that the author wrote some of his most acclaimed works, including the nonfiction work Green Hills of Africa, short stories “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” and “The Short Happy Life of Francis of Francis Macomber,” and the novel To Have and Have Not.

The author pets one of the polydactyl cats that are descended from Hemingway’s original six-toed cat, Snow White. This one is sleeping on Hemingway’s bed. Photo credit: Hal Marzell

And then there are the famous polydactyl cats. Hemingway was given a white six-toed cat named Snow White by a ship’s captain and some of the 61 cats who currently live on the museum grounds are descendants of that original cat. Imagine my surprise when I stepped into Hemingway’s bedroom and found one of them sleeping peacefully right on the author’s bed!

Should you be able to escort your students to this museum house, or visit it yourself, the site is located at 907 Whitehead Street in Key West. The residence is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm. General admission is $18 per person; ticket for students from age 7-12 are $7, and children under five years old are free. There is a special rate for group admission tickets. Admission includes a 20-30 minute guided tour. You can also guide your students to the website at Hemingway Home and Museum.

Whether you travel to the Hemingway Home and Museum in person or virtually, I wish you and your students happy learning!