Architecture enthusiasts who want to continue their history lesson may want to plan a visit to the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio, where Wright’s architectural revolution began, or the Cheney Mansion, a 1913 Tudor Revival now used for community and private events. The mansion’s expansive grounds and tranquil gardens can provide a place of rest and reflection after a fun-filled day of exploration.
For more art and culture, head to the Oak Park Arts District, home to the chic galleries, quaint cafes and delicious restaurants. You may even find unique gifts and treasures at some of the local shops and thrift stores.
Click here to learn more about things to do in Oak Park.
Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899, to a prominent Oak Park family. His father was a physician, and his mother an opera singer and musician. Arts and education were the focus of his childhood. He was the second of six children, and the family lived with his maternal grandfather and namesake, Ernest Hall, a great storyteller who spent much of his time in the home’s library.
Hemingway’s upbringing was affluent and full of opportunity. The Hemingway home was the first residence in Oak Park to have electricity, and his parents were particularly accomplished. While his mother left her opera career to have children, she taught music lessons in the parlor and was extremely well known. Her relationship with Hemingway was quite tumultuous at times, but her artistic influence on him and his work is clear. Her six children were each expected to play two instruments, and the family maintained a membership to the Art Institute of Chicago. The Hemingway's were devout protestants, and Ernest sang and played the cello at Sunday mass, albeit reluctantly.
Perhaps most influential were Hemingway’s summers in northern Michigan. The family split time between Oak Park and their summer home called Windmere on Walloon Lake near Petoskey, Michigan. It was there where his father passed down his love of hunting and the outdoors, which remained Hemingway’s favorite pastimes throughout his life. His summers in northern Michigan are referenced in his musings about nature and the wilderness. Michigan, to him, represented fun and freedom.
Hemingway’s writing journey began at the Oak Park River Forest High School school newspaper. Shortly after, he began writing poems and short stories for the high school magazine. He excelled both academically and in sports, competing in boxing, track and field, water polo and football. After high school, Hemingway chose to forgo higher education, which caused friction with his academically focused parents. Instead, he began his writing career as a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star. His first trip overseas was as an ambulance driver in World War I, where he was injured. After which, he rarely returned to Oak Park, personally or in his writing.
Oak Park was an up-and-coming suburb for Chicago’s ambitious, wealthy residents. It was known as “a place where saloons end and churches begin.” This conservative environment with its emphasis on tradition and societal expectations often clashed with Hemingway’s adventurous and rebellious spirit, causing tension between Hemingway and his mother.
It was during his time at the Kansas City Star that Hemingway developed his signature style of writing: short, succinct and full of plain everyday language. This was a stark contrast to the flowery language of the Victorian era and was seen as another act of rebellion against his privileged and polished upbringing.
Hemingway is known as a man of action who traveled the globe in search of stories. While Oak Park is seldom specifically mentioned in his work, he often explores the contrast between small-town life and the wider world.
Whether you're a lover of literature or simply looking for a bit of education and exploration, the 90-minute walking tour through Hemingway's historic neighborhood is sure to leave you enlightened. You'll not only get a deep understanding of the foundation for Hemingway's work and the people and places that influenced him, but you'll also experience the rich history of Oak Park during the turn of the 20th century. Book a tour and embark on a literary adventure through Hemingway's hometown.