Celebrating Hemingway in Key West
KEY WEST, Fla. — Ernest Hemingway spent the 1930s in Key West, Florida, and more than six decades after his death, fans, scholars, and relatives still flock to the island city to honor the author’s award-winning novels and adventurous life. Hemingway Days, which began in 1981 with a short-story competition and a look-alike contest, concluded this year on the 125th anniversary of Hemingway’s birth, July 21, 1899.
Hemingway’s Impact on Key West
As a prominent novelist, short-story writer, and journalist, Hemingway’s legacy is firmly embedded in the fabric of Key West’s culture. His great-grandson, Stephen Hemingway Adams, who was born nearly three decades after Hemingway’s death, reflects on how working with his grandfather, Patrick Hemingway, deepened his understanding of the famous author. “I got to work with my granddad, and we put out a book called ‘Dear Papa,’ which was all of the letters between Ernest and my grandfather,” Adams shared.
The Real Hemingway vs. The Myth
Hemingway’s public persona often blurs with the reality of his life. While he was renowned for his big-game fishing in the Caribbean, hunting in Africa, and love for bullfighting, baseball, boxing, and barhopping, he was also a serious artist who won Pulitzer and Nobel prizes. Adams notes that it’s fine for people to admire the adventurous side of Hemingway as much as the writer. “I think it’s a split, and I think that’s what’s fun,” Adams said of the look-alikes who visit Key West annually.
Hemingway’s Key West Experience
When Hemingway first arrived in Key West in 1928, the area was a rustic fishing village rather than the bustling tourist destination it is today. Originally planning a brief stop, Hemingway and his second wife, Pauline, ended up staying for several weeks due to delays with their car. They soon made friends with local business owners and fishermen, leading to frequent visits. In 1931, Pauline’s uncle bought them a French Colonial home on a 1.5-acre lot.
Embracing Island Life
After spending much of his 20s in Paris, Hemingway embraced the unique island lifestyle. According to Cori Convertito, curator at the Key West Museum of Art & History, Hemingway was active in the local scene. “He doesn’t come here to act like a recluse and just write,” Convertito said. “He’s out at the bars all the time. He’s out fishing with people. He’s interacting in boxing matches.” Hemingway, in his 30s during his Key West years, was notably different from the older, white-bearded “Papa Hemingway” often depicted in look-alike contests.
Fishing, Writing, and Advocacy
Much of Hemingway’s time in Key West was spent fishing. Convertito notes that Hemingway began pioneering new fishing techniques after acquiring his boat, the Pilar, in 1934. His pursuit of a fully intact marlin and his innovative methods were echoed in his 1952 novel, “The Old Man and the Sea.” Hemingway was an early member of the International Game Fish Association and served as vice president in 1940. He also became an advocate for the Florida Keys and their people, notably criticizing the federal government’s response to the 1935 Labor Day hurricane and its impact on World War I veterans.
Preserving Hemingway’s Legacy
Michael Morawski, CEO of the Hemingway Home & Museum, credits his great-aunt, Bernice Dixon, with preserving Hemingway’s legacy in Key West. Dixon purchased the house for $80,000 in 1961, and it became a museum in 1964, later designated a National Historic Landmark. The museum is also known for housing around 60 polydactyl cats, descendants of Hemingway’s original six-toed feline.
The Evolution of Hemingway Days
Hemingway Days began as a promotional event for Sloppy Joe’s Bar, one of Hemingway’s favorite haunts. Michael Whalton, then a manager at the bar, initiated the festival with a look-alike contest and other activities. The first event was a success, with Ernest Hemingway’s younger brother, Leicester, and granddaughter, Lorian, participating as judges. David Douglas, who has been involved since 2000 and won the contest in 2009, continues to return annually as a judge. The look-alike group has grown into a service organization, funding over $350,000 in scholarships for Florida Keys students and sponsoring a youth baseball team in Cuba.
References:
Voice Of America News – https://www.voanews.com/a/hemingway-fans-celebrate-the-author-s-125th-birthday/7707920.html
