Trip Planner: USA / Florida / Florida Keys / Key West / Oldest House & Garden Museum

Oldest House & Garden Museum, Key West

4.3

Architectural Building · Hidden Gem · Historic Site

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Having borne witness to pirates, warfare, hurricanes, fire, and a fluctuating economy, Oldest House & Garden Museum is a testament to the history and development of the Key West area. The house was first built in 1829 in the style of a classic revival five-bay center hall, or more affectionately called a New England Bahama house. The house also features many unique maritime notes, such as horizontal pine wall boards and a ship's hatch carved into the master bedroom roof. Today the house serves as a museum and is open to the public, preserving the personal effects and furniture of its most important resident, sea captain Francis Watlington. You may wander the house at your leisure and tour the period furnishings, and then retreat to the shade of the garden. Plan trip to Key West with our itinerary maker to find out where to go and what to do.

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Oldest House & Garden Museum reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating

520 reviews

Google

4.5

By sallywM312ME

Wonderful tour with Thomas Greenwood who is the curator and museum store buyer. The house is very interesting and the grounds were well restored. Thomas was delightful and knowledgeable. Don't...

Wonderful tour with Thomas Greenwood who is the curator and museum store buyer. The house is very interesting and the grounds were well restored. Thomas was delightful and knowledgeable. Don't... more »
By maureent581

Some really old antiques in the house. Just the bottom floor was open along with the grounds. Clean restrooms in the gardens.

Some really old antiques in the house. Just the bottom floor was open along with the grounds. Clean restrooms in the gardens. more »
By SuzyQu15

The Oldest House is right on Duval Street, with lovely grounds which are rented out as a venue. Historic house with original furnishings and family portraits, this is a self guided tour through the..... more

The Oldest House is right on Duval Street, with lovely grounds which are rented out as a venue. Historic house with original furnishings and family portraits, this is a self guided tour through the..... more »

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Google

By Mike D

Amazing place. Incredible house and amazing property. Rich in history.

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By Kateryna Semenova

Very interesting, we didn’t regret to pass it. The man their was telling a lot of stories, and the place itself is interesting to see. How people lived that times. You start to feel it

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By Jason Janicke

My wife and I dropped in today on a whim. I am so glad we did. Very rich history here. We really love Key West, and are now falling in love with it's history. There was no docent available but fortunately Tom was working the register. He went out of his way to give us information and history of the site. He had great stories and answered all of our questions. He made the visit absolutely awesome. I would definitely recommend this stop on your trip.

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By Lindsay A

Tom was fantastic! His knowledge with Key West history was very impressive. I could listen to him for hours! Seeing the last standing cook house was neat to see.

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By Chuck Y

The views from the Lighthouse are spectacular. You must climb the 88 steps but it is definitely worth the effort. I must see if in Key West

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