Key West is home to beautiful wildlife and stunning views. Whether you want to lay out on the sand, swim in the crystal blue waters, or explore the area, there is something for you here. When it comes to history, the Key West area is home to so many historical locations like Fort Zachary Taylor. You can learn about the lives of many influential American figures here. The Audubon House is one of the fascinating destinations for history lovers. Audubon House and Tropical Gardens perfectly showcase the history and natural plant life home to Florida.
Explore the Audubon House for a day filled with history and nature while you’re staying in one of our Key West rentals!
What Is the Audubon House?
The Audubon House is one of the oldest houses in Key West. After a hurricane demolished nearly all of the homes in Key West in the 1840s, there was little left to repair; however, Captain John Huling Geiger took on the task of reconstructing his home and gardens. Construction on the house took place between 1846 and 1849. Captain Geiger was one of the wealthiest men in the community and wanted a house that would match his family’s wealth and power. He chose the location on the corner of Whitehead and Greene Street so that everyone would know it was his house.
Geiger would not settle for less when it came to his home. He hired only the finest and most skilled carpenters and made sure that they all used the finest materials, such as mahogany, cypress, and Dade County Pine. This pine was so well-liked that it is now an extinct hardwood. Once it was finished, the house had a beautiful porch that the residents would love to sit out on and watch the sea.
Since the construction of the house, four generations of the Geiger family have lived there, spanning 110 years. In 1958, Mitchell Wolfson and his wife purchased and renovated the home, making it what is now the Audubon House. This sparked the restoration movement within the Key West area.
The Wolfsons reconstructed the house to showcase John James Audubon’s visit to the Key West area. The historic museum uses the old Geiger home as a place to showcase Audubon’s artwork. The furnishings in the home are all antiques, many dating back to the 19th century and originally belonging to the Geiger family. All of the Geiger originals can be found on the third floor of the building and in the house’s parlor. Namely, you’ll find the painting of the late captain and the serving table. A replica cookhouse in the gardens shows how cooking was done in the mid-19th century in Key West.
About The Gardens
Ready to stroll along in the gardens? The gardens have paved brick pathways that make it easy and smooth to walk along to take in the beautiful Florida nature. You can see the vibrant flower blooms while the butterflies flutter around you. The birds will fly around you as they dart and nest in the trees! The Gardens are home to native and exotic trees and plants from all over. The trees and plants are labeled with common names, Latin names, country of origin, and more so that you can learn about the plant life in the Gardens.
Many say that John James Audubon visited the gardens on the property in 1832. It is also local folklore that he used the plant life in the gardens for his drawings of the local birdlife.
The Gardens have a replica of the 1850s-era cook house used during Captain Geiger’s time in the house, helping to teach visitors about how life was back in the 19th century in Florida. Many homes did not have their cookhouse attached to the house to keep the houses cool and spare the heat from the kitchen. The original cookhouse was demolished in 1958 because of the state the cookhouse was in. In 2012, with the help of many photographs and the Mitchell Wolfson Family Foundation, the cookhouse was reconstructed with historical accuracy. The Foundation wanted to ensure that every piece of the cookhouse looked exactly like it would back in the 19th century.
Next to the cookhouse is a representation of what an 1850s medicinal and herb garden would look like. The cookhouse and garden have been preserved in order to accurately show what daily life would have been like for the groundskeepers and those performing daily chores.
Plan Your Key West Vacation!
Ready to experience the stunning history and beauty offered by the Audubon House? When you book with Key West Vacation Homes, planning your upcoming vacation is easy! Simply view our Key West rental homes, reserve your favorite, and prepare for an unforgettable trip. See you soon in Key West!
Where Is the Audubon House?
The Audubon House is in the exact location as it has always been. Geiger had rented the property that is on Whitehead and Greene Street. Eventually, he bought the property, as it was a prominent location easily seen from the waterfront. He felt it was the perfect place for a mansion to be located, as it could showcase his wealth and status to the community.
The house is located at 205 Whitehead Street in Key West, Florida. The House and the Gardens operate from 9:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. every Monday through Sunday. You can explore the gift shop and gallery from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. on the same day.
Stay with Key West Vacation Homes
Key West Vacation Homes has given many visitors a place to rest and relax since 2015. We ensure that our guests have only the best and highest quality accommodations when they stay in a beautiful Key West vacation rental. Our business is a trustworthy local Key West business. Every member of our team is from the Key West area. They have all learned the best skills in hospitality from universities like the University of Miami and Tallahassee. We make sure our staff is only the most professional with our guests. They are not only attentive to your every need, but they also make sure to provide you with the best help in Key West. Need to look for some Key West things to do? We have you covered. Looking for directions to the botanical gardens in Key West? They’re better than most maps! No matter what you need, our staff is here to help you.
Regarding our Key West vacation rentals, you’ll be staying in only the finest. No matter how big your party is, a rental in our catalog is perfect for your party. If you have a furry friend, our Key West pet-friendly vacation rentals are the ideal place to bring your pets! All of our Key West vacation homes have pools as well! You can relax in your pool while you soak up the Florida sun and bask in the beautiful ocean breeze.
Are you ready to book your Key West vacation? Contact us today to get your vacation started!
