Tiny, meticulously restored cigar-makers’ cottages stand next to gingerbread-trimmed Victorian mansions in Key West’s historic Old Town, creating an architectural tapestry as colorful as the island itself.
What lies behind the white picket fences and polished front doors of Key West’s fine homes? Tour them and find out! (All photos courtesy of the Old Island Restoration Foundation)
For visitors who wonder how Key Westers live — and what lies behind their houses’ white picket fences, historic facades and gleaming front doors — home tours scheduled for December, January, February and March provide a rare chance to find out.
The tours display Key West’s unique architecture and modern island-style design, and are hosted by the Old Island Restoration Foundation. Created in 1960, the foundation is dedicated to promoting the restoration and preservation of the island city’s historic treasures.
Visitors in town for the holidays can enjoy the first tour of the season on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 27-28. The intriguing self-guided exploration, scheduled for 4-7 p.m. both days, shows off beautiful examples of older homes and more recent gems — all festively dressed with exuberant holiday decorations that bring a “winter wonderland” flair to the frost-free island.
The December tour also spotlights some of the innovative ways historic homes can be renovated and enhanced to suit modern-day owners. Featured properties include a Bahamian structure whose oldest section probably dates back to 1870, and whose current owners enjoy outdoor living; a venerable cigar maker’s dwelling with a two-level front porch and widow’s walk roofline, plus a second floor built in 1996; and a quaint “conch-style” cottage in Key West’s heritage-rich Bahama Village district.
Following the December holiday tours, three more home showcases are planned. They’re set for Friday and Saturday, Jan. 13-14, Feb. 17-18 and March 17-18. Like the December series, each one features multiple locations illustrating Key West’s early architectural tradition, creative renovations and contemporary structures.
Many of the featured homes on each tour can be found in Old Town — believed to be the largest predominantly wooden historic district in the United States, with almost 3,000 structures. Today scores of these structures are restored and flourish as single-family homes, bed-and-breakfast guesthouses and museum attractions.
As well as historic homes, the house tours feature examples of more modern island-style design, like this colorful gem.
Old Island Restoration Foundation volunteers serve as guides at each tour stop, informing visitors about each featured house’s history, architecture and décor. Tour participants will discover interiors filled with antiques and art collections, plus outdoor living spaces alive with luxuriant plants and flowers.
The January tours are set for 4-8 p.m. both evenings. Transportation between homes will be offered aboard Conch Tour Trains — or participants can proceed from place to place at their own pace. The February and March tours are offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and visitors are responsible for their own transportation.
Tickets for each self-guided tour cost $30 per person ($35 on the day of the tour) and include a list of houses and a map. Cost for January tours with Conch Train transportation is $35 per person and seating is limited, so it’s important to buy tickets early to guarantee a spot.
They can be purchased here, by calling 305-294-9501, or at Key West locations including the Oldest House at 322 Duval St. During tour hours, tickets will be sold at the featured houses (cash or check only, please).
Funds raised from the tours will be used to maintain the Oldest House — a home built circa 1829 that’s open for tours chronicling Key West’s history — and for the foundation’s grants program, scholarships and other activities supporting preservation.
