The Audubon House & Tropical Gardens, situated in Key West, offers visitors a nostalgic glimpse into the mid-19th-century lifestyle of a maritime pilot and master wrecker. This stately mansion, originally constructed by Captain John Huling Geiger in the 1840s, served as the home for four generations of the Geiger family until 1956. Slated for demolition in 1958, the mansion was rescued and restored by the Mitchell Wolfson Family Foundation, sparking Key West’s restoration movement.
- Today, the house operates as the Audubon House Museum, showcasing the works of John James Audubon and furnished with 19th-century antiques, including belongings of the Geiger family.
- The house exhibits the grandeur of 19th-century Key West, a time marked by prosperity from the thriving ship wrecking industry.
- Among the property's highlights is the one-acre tropical garden, home to a variety of native and exotic plants and a replica 1850s-era cookhouse.
The Audubon House also serves as a unique event venue, accommodating up to 130 guests for wedding receptions and 250 for corporate cocktail parties. Its lush garden and historic back deck offer a breathtaking backdrop for ceremonies and photos, and private tours of the house add a unique touch to the event.
John James Audubon, a celebrated ornithologist and artist, holds a special connection with this property. Local folklore suggests that Audubon visited the garden in 1832 and incorporated images from the garden into his drawings of local birds. His work, "Birds of America," consisting of 435 hand-colored prints, secured him a prominent place in ornithology and wildlife art. The Audubon House & Tropical Gardens continues to uphold his legacy, simultaneously providing an unforgettable experience for every visitor and event.
