The Ritz

Known for many superlative reasons The Ritz hotel in Paris is an elegant landmark. Angela had heard about the recent renovation of the hotel and wanted to grab a cocktail at it's famous Bar Hemingway--named after famed hotel regular, Oak Park native, and renowned author, Ernest Hemingway. Other famed visitors include Coco Chanel and Princess Diana. The best feature of the hotel I liked the most was a long hallway with small shops framed by wood. The hallway was adjacent to a spectacular outdoor garden parterre that was enclosed by the hotel. Bar Hemingway had wonderful bar snacks that included homemade potato chips, buttery olives, and slivered almonds. Angela and I had lots of fancy fun on a very special night at The Ritz.

Hemingway Museum

In addition to Oak Park having a museum dedicated to Ernest Hemingway's birthplace, there is a tangential museum located just down the block from his birth home. The museum is in the lower level of the Oak Park Arts Center, which was originally built as the 1st Church of Christ, Scientist and now used a concert and performance venue. The museum covers Hemingway's personality, writings, and interactions with the village - he did attend the local high school, Oak Park and River Forest High School. And after he served in World War I he was given a hero's welcome home. Oak Park celebrates Hemingway's connection with the village by many annual events every year and is very proud to have such a cultural icon rooted here. Personally, I'm happy to have had learned more about Hemingway and I hope to reread many of his writings soon.

Hemingway's Birthplace

A couple of weeks ago John and I were able to visit another Oak Park landmark--Ernest Hemingway's birthplace. Hemingway was born in a typical Victorian-style home with several bedrooms and featured a new modern convenience: an indoor bathroom. The kitchen sink also had a pivoting stool to sit on while washing dishes. Something we should definitely bring back for kitchens today.
When we visited we were able to take an hour-long tour through the house that was mostly restored to its original condition when Hemingway was a young boy. The tour focused on highlighting life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, not so much about Hemingway individually. 

An urban myth about Hemingway, when asked about Oak Park, was that he once said it was filled with 'wide lawns and narrow minds'. What became apparent to me after touring his birthplace and his museum, just down the block, was that his writing was so compelling and modern that he became popular very quickly. The impact of Hemingway on Oak Park through his writing was elevated by his dynamic and interesting personal life. It's great to have such a rich and interesting figure related to Oak Park and I'm thankful to live in place so deep with history and culture.