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Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum: Where a Literary Legend Began

Discover the roots of a literary giant at Ernest Hemingway's Birthplace Museum in Oak Park, Illinois.

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Visit the meticulously restored Queen Anne home in Oak Park, Illinois, where Ernest Hemingway was born and spent his early childhood. Explore the rooms that shaped his formative years and gain insight into the life of the Nobel Prize-winning author.

A brief summary to Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum

Local tips

  • Tours are guided and last approximately 50 minutes, so plan accordingly.
  • Advanced reservations are recommended, especially for groups of ten or more.
  • The museum is wheelchair accessible.
  • Consider visiting other nearby attractions in Oak Park, such as the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    The Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum is accessible via public transportation. From downtown Chicago, take the Green Line 'L' train to the Oak Park station. From the station, walk approximately 0.4 miles north on Oak Park Avenue to the museum. A single fare on the 'L' is around $2.50.

  • Walking

    The Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum is located in a walkable area of Oak Park. If you are already in the Hemingway Business District, simply head north on Oak Park Avenue. The museum is located at 339 N Oak Park Avenue, about six blocks north of the Green Line 'L' stop.

  • Driving

    If driving from downtown Chicago, take the I-290 Eisenhower Expressway west to Austin Avenue (Exit 23A). Turn right onto Austin Avenue and then left onto Washington Blvd. Turn right onto Oak Park Avenue; the museum will be on the left. Street parking is available on Oak Park Avenue and Superior Street. Metered parking is also available on Oak Park Avenue near Lake Street. Alternatively, the Lake Street Parking Garage is a 10-minute walk away. Metered street parking costs around $0.25 per hour. The Lake Street Parking Garage typically costs a few dollars.

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Discover more about Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum

The Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum, located in Oak Park, Illinois, offers a captivating glimpse into the early life of one of America's most iconic writers. Born in a second-floor bedroom on July 21, 1899, Ernest Hemingway spent the first six years of his life in this Queen Anne-style home. The house, built in 1890 by his maternal grandparents, was remarkably the first in Oak Park to have electricity. The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park purchased the home in 1992 and meticulously restored it to its original 1890s Victorian heritage. The museum showcases period furnishings and original Hemingway family heirlooms, providing an authentic experience of life at the turn of the 20th century. Visitors can explore the rooms where Hemingway's story began and learn about the influences that shaped his life and work. Knowledgeable docents lead guided tours of the museum, sharing stories and insights into Hemingway's upbringing and the cultural context of Oak Park during his childhood. The tour offers a deeper understanding of the person Hemingway was and a renewed fascination with his enduring literary legacy. The museum also hosts events and educational programs, further enriching the community's appreciation for literature and history.

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