Ernest Hemingway is among the great American writers, with a legacy as a novelist, short-story writer, and journalist. He maintained an outspoken public image and a bold, adventurous lifestyle that has been romanticized over time. His literary works also inspired numerous classic films, including A Farewell to Arms (1932; 1957), For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943), To Have and Have Not (1944), The Killers (1946), and more.
His storied life began in Oak Park, Illinois, a town he quipped boasted “wide lawns and narrow minds.” Though his life took him far beyond the confines of Oak Park, his hometown celebrates his legacy at the Hemingway Home. Hemingway spent the first six years of his life calling this location home. In 1992, the home was purchased by the Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park to restore the home to its original condition and function as a museum dedicated to the writer.
Today, tours are offered regularly at the home, telling the story of Hemingway and his family members.
In addition to the restored home, there is a museum portion that focuses more upon Hemingway’s literary influence in addition to his ties to Hollywood. The museum has a collection of film posters, stills, and a wide range of movie memorabilia tied to Hemingway’s literary output.
The Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum is located at 339 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, Illinois.
Hometowns to Hollywood 