Edgar Allan Poe National Historical Site

New Exhibits!

Several new exhibits were recently debuted in honor of Poe’s bicentennial in 2009 — including Edgar Allan Poe: His Life and Work.

The exciting, new exhibits are kind of like birthday presents from Philadelphia to the macabre bard.

The Experience

Poe (1809-1849), one of America’s most original writers, lived in this red brick home with his wife, Virginia, and his mother-in-law, Maria Clemm, for about a year. During that time, he penned The Black Cat, which describes a basement eerily similar to the one here. He also published three of his masterpieces, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher and The Gold Bug.

Visitors can tour the stark rooms and cellar of the three-story home where Poe’s imagination ran seductively wild. Rangers recount how Poe dealt with family poverty, Virginia’s grave illness and his own personal demons. In the buildings are exhibits on Poe’s family and his literary contemporaries, plus a theater that shows an informative eight-minute film.

History

Administered by the National Park Service, this was Poe’s residence in 1843 before he moved to New York City. Of his several Philadelphia homes, only this one survives. It serves as a tangible link to Poe at the height of his literary achievements. Although best known for his Gothic horror tales, Poe also created beautiful poetry, was a pioneer science fiction writer, and is credited with inventing the modern detective story with Murders in the Rue Morgue.

Other Information

Open Wed – Sun, Closed Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day

Insider Tip

Although the house lacks furniture, possibly due to Poe selling it to finance his move to New York, the film, lecture and tour make the trip very worthwhile.