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Audubon House
The Audubon House & Tropical Gardens offers a look at the famous artist
as well as the early years of Key West. Artist and ornithologist
John James Audubon visited Key West in 1832, where he sighted and
drew 19 new species for his famous “Birds of America”
folio. It’s believed that many of those detailed paintings
were conceived in the garden of the 205 Whitehead Street property
that now houses the museum. The 19th century home, originally built
by ship’s carpenters for harbor pilot and shipwreck salvager
John Geiger, has 28 original Audubon engravings. It also has a gallery
featuring 500 Audubon lithographs and a rare collection of porcelain
birds created by British artist Dorothy Doughty.The spacious, airy
house is furnished with antiques, including furniture that was salvaged
by former owner Geiger. Meticulous gardens with tropical foliage,
native plants and exotics surround the home. Visitors stroll along
tidy brick paths to see blossoming orchids, bromeliads, towering
trees, a butterfly garden and a 19th century plant nursery. After
falling into disrepair, the house was saved from demolition in 1958
when it was purchased and restored by the Wolfson Family Foundation.
The house marks the city’s first restoration project. The
museum also has a gift shop that sells affordable, original Audubon
artwork.
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