Curry Mansion – Historic Walking Tour

The Curry Mansion located at 511 Caroline Street is more than a stop along the historic walking tour, it’s a place to stay, relax and enjoy Key West.  Located between Eaton and Greene Streets, this inn is centrally located to the activities of Duval Street.

curry mansion

History

This is the site of two Curry mansions.  William Curry, Florida’s first self made millionaire raised his eight children in the original house built on the site.  That home was built in 1869.  Later, his son, Milton, tore down the original home, except for the stone kitchen and built the new grand victorian in 1905, we still see today.

Prior to Milton inheriting the property, his dad, William lived in the home for nearly 40 years.

Structure

The home is made from Dade County pine.  This is part of the reason why the home still stands over 110 years after being built.  Dade County pine is incredibly durable and resistant to insects.   The woodwork inside the home is carved from Birdseye maple and can be found throughout the 22 rooms in the home.

Key Lime Pie

It is believed that Aunt Sally, William’s house cook created the first Key Lime Pie at the original Curry Mansion.  The birthplace of Key Lime Pie can be traced not only to Key West, but to the Curry Mansion.

Today

Today the home is owned by Edith and Al Amsterdam.  They arrived in Key West in 1975 and on a stroll through Caroline Street, found the neglected home.  They immediately bought it and began the long, laborious journey to restore the home to its former glory.

The rising taxes and costs associated with the renovation made the Amersterdams re-think their original idea of keeping the home their personal residence.  At the suggestion of their son, they turned the beautiful mansion into the Amsterdam Curry Mansion Inn.

curry mansion

The Inn

Today the Curry Mansion has 28 unique guest rooms in three different structures.  You can tour the mansion daily, even if you are are not a guest.  There are three floors in the main house and the attached guest house wraps around to provide privacy to the pool and seating areas.  The third structure is across the street.  Room prices vary, depending on time of year and events happening in town.  The Curry Mansion does allow small dogs on the property and in the rooms.

The room rates include free parking, a full breakfast and a two hour cocktail party every evening.  Steps aways from Duval, the location lets you enjoy the restaurants and shopping close by.

 

(sources: KeyWestHistoricMarkerTour.org and CurryMansion.com)

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