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Historic Sites
Finca Vigia - Ernest Hemingway’s Property
Havana, Cuba
Hemingway Preservation Foundation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation in collaboration with the Consejo Nacional de Patrimonio Cultural and the Museo Ernest Hemingway, Havana, Cuba
Heritage Landscapes is a member of the US Expert team collaborating with Cuban heritage experts to address the restoration Finca Vigia, Hemingway’s home from 1939 to 1960. This multi-disciplinary US team is providing pro-bono expertise toward the preservation and restoration of this unique 25 acre property. Heritage Landscapes trained our Cuban colleagues in the documenting and assessing the condition of the existing landscape. We anticipate future research, analysis and recommendations to restore the Hemingway landscape and interpret it for Cuban and international visitors including many school groups.
1
Finca Vigia has a panoramic view north toward Havana and the ocean punctuated by palm trees, but the Hemingway mango grove canopy is partially blocking this view today.
2
The team poses on the front steps of the house with the replanted ceiba tree to the right. Cuban heritage specialists replanted the tree, in-kind and location when the historic tree was lost in a storm.
3
Stone terraces extend north from the house in three levels toward the mango groves. Drainage and storm action has caused stonework deterioration. Halting termite infestation in mangos is underway.
4
This narrow planted path to the east provides access to a planted terraced area between a bedroom and the kitchen where fruits and herbs grew. Historic documentation for this space is sought.
5
At the pool and former tennis court, young giant bamboo clumps appear to serve as a privacy screen. Decline of clumps from termites and storms has diminished the screening function.
6
A stone walk was temporarily stabilized with white mortar for construction traffic to the house. The team agreed that matching gray mortar should be used for permanent repair to retain walk character.
7
An elderly man who played baseball at Finca Vigia with Ernest Hemingway as a boy describes the ball field layout to the Cuban and American technical preservation team.
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