Today, the most southern part of the mainland USA is a vibrant, laid-back paradise. It is palm trees, colorful buildings, the scent of saltwater in the air mixed with a rich history.

The home the Hemingways acquired home was built in 1851 in the Spanish Colonial style. The home was in real bad shape, but both Ernest and Pauline could see beyond the rubble and ruin and appreciated the grand architecture and stateliness of the home.

The Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site includes the restored farmhouse and interpretive center which includes portraits, letters, manuscripts and other information referring to Whitman, his work and his life.

Tucked away along the banks of the Hudson River is Washington Irving’s charming home called Sunnyside.

Cedarmere is the historic home of William Cullen Bryant on seven Roslyn Harbor acres. Bryant was a prominent nineteenth century American poet, newspaper editor, civic leader and leading figure in the fight against slavery.

Montgomery called the Anne of Green Gables Museum house “the Wonder Castle of My Childhood”. The house is filled with memorabilia allowing you to see the world through Mongomery’s eyes.

The Sarah Oren-Jewett House was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991 for its association with the Victorian-age writer.

Glenview is a mansion built in 1877 by successful stockbroker, John Bond Trevor. In 1876, Trevor purchased 23 acres and commissioned architect Charles W. Clinton to design his home in the New York City suburbs. Nothing was spared both inside and out, when building the house.

Edith Wharton was part of “Olde New York” society, and is credited with establishing interior design as a profession in the United States. She was the first woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction for her book, Age of Innocence. She believed that good architectural expression included order, scale, and harmony.