Commission for Historical & Architectural Preservation

Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum

"This place gives me the creeps!" Vincent Price, 1977

Poe and Baltimore

"He pointed to my garments;-they were muddy and clotted with gore. I spoke not, and he took me gently by the hand:-it was indented with the impress of human nails." Berenice, 1835.

Edgar Allan Poe has been dead since October 7, 1849 and yet his ghost continues to haunt us. Poe was one of Baltimore's greatest writers. He was a poet, short story writer, literary critic, editor, publisher and lecturer. His life was filled with tragedy, poverty, and illness. Writers in his time could hardly make a living from writing and had to turn to other employment that could afford them some leisure time to write. If they were lucky enough to have a patron or an inheritance, their prolificacy was assured. Poe was not that fortunate.

Poe was born in Boston on January 19, 1809, he was the grandson of Baltimore Revolutionary War patriot, David Poe Sr., he was orphaned at age 3 and, though never legally adopted, made his home with Mr. and Mrs. John Allan in Richmond. Poe, was never really accepted by Allan as his son. Tension grew as he got older, and, after many unfortunate incidents, he left Allan's household and enlisted in the Army.

In 1829, after his discharge, Poe arrived in Baltimore and lived with his widowed aunt, Maria Poe Clemm. At that time, Maria Clemm's home was located in what is now called Little Italy, just east of the Inner Harbor. After a brief stint at West Point, he returned to Baltimore in 1832 to live with Maria Clemm again. By this time, Maria Clemm was living at No. 3 Amity Street in west Baltimore. The tiny household consisted of Maria, her daughter Virginia Eliza, her son Henry Clemm, and Elizabeth Poe, Edgar's grandmother. It was during this time period that Poe decided to write short stories instead of poetry. Poe won a $50 prize offered by a Baltimore newspaper for best short story. The winning story was called, "MS Found in a Bottle."

It was probable that the following stories were composed at this time: "Berenice," "Morella," "King Pest," "Shadow," "Mystification," and "Hans Pfall." Other tales that date from this time period are: "Metzengerstein," "Duc de L'Omelette," "A Tale of Jerusalem," "Loss of Breath," "BonBon," "Siope," "Lionizing," "The Visionary," and "A Decent into the Maelstrom."

One tale in particular, "Berenice", created a sensation for Poe. Many editors received complaints the story was too gruesome. Poe censored his own story by deleting several offending paragraphs. He defended writing this story by claiming he was giving the public what they wanted. He promised not to err again by writing such sensational stories.

In 1835, Elizabeth Poe died. Poe moved to Richmond where in 1836 he sent for Maria and Virginia Clemm, Henry Clemm vanished and was never heard from again. Poe never returned to Baltimore to live for any extended period of time.

In 1836, Poe married his 13 year old cousin, Virginia, in Richmond. Poe was devoted to his wife. When she finally died a tragic death from consumption in 1847, Poe outlived her by only two years. The cause of his death remains a mystery. Despite many theories surrounding his death, no exact cause has ever been proven. He rests with his wife and aunt under the monument erected to him in Westminster Graveyard in downtown Baltimore.

Poe House, Museum & grave site map

The Poe House and Museum

The house was built around 1830 in what was then considered the country. The new Baltimore and Ohio train station had opened a few short blocks south of the Poe House in 1830. It now houses the B & O Train Museum.

In the 1930's the buildings in the area were razed for the construction of the Poe Homes, a public housing project. The house was scheduled for demolition but public vigilance and interest forced the Housing Authority to spare the site. The Edgar Allan Poe Society was given control of the house and it opened as The Edgar Allan Poe House in 1949. An exhaustive search of city registers, deeds and maps proved that Poe in fact did live in this house. In 1979, the society approached the City of Baltimore to request that the City restore the property. It took $90,000 of City and State funds to repair the deteriorated house. The Commission for Historic and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) a City agency, now maintains the site as a historic house museum, and sponsors tours and activities throughout the whole year.

Special Events

Halloween at the Poe House is usually held the weekends before and after Halloween. This may change due to actor availability. The Poe House voice mail will be updated in September or October to reflect changes in dates and program. Local actors provide theatrical performances based on Poe's horror stories.

The World's Largest Edgar Allan Poe Birthday Celebration is usually held the weekend closest to January 19th or at the end of January depending upon venue accessibility. This popular event can include music, theatrical performances based on Poe's life and works, a bagpipe tribute, special exhibits of rare Poe artifacts and the world famous Toast to Poe at his gravesite. A Baltimore tradition since 1983.

The Bicentennial of Poe's Birth

The bicentennial of Poe's birth, January 19, 2009 is just a few Tell Tale heartbeats away. The staff of the Poe House is busy planning events to commemorate this once in a life time event. If you have any suggestions please feel free to contact the staff. This site will be updated as events are finalized. What will make Baltimore's celebration unique is not only do we have a home that Poe lived in but we have Poe!

Hours of Operation

Open Wednesday through Saturday, 12 noon to 3:45 pm, April through early December. Closed January, February and March and select City Holidays. Hours may change temporarily due to urgent repairs, school/charter tours and staff limitations.  Please call the Poe House 24 hour voice mail service and press the number two prompt for current Poe House information. The Poe House is not available for rental.

Directions

Both routes takes you by the Poe Grave first and are marked by blue and green trail blazing signs indicating turns listed below beginning at Paca and Fayette Streets.

From the South From the Washington DC area. Take I-95 North or the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and take the Russell Street exit. (The Parkway ends at Russell Street) Proceed north on Russell Street as it curves and becomes Paca Street. Go approximately 10 blocks and turn left on Fayette Street . The Poe Grave will be on your left.

From the North From north of Baltimore take I-83 South to the Maryland Avenue exit and turn left. Proceed south approximately 1 mile to Fayette Street. Turn right and proceed approximately 6 blocks to Greene Street to the location of the Poe Grave.

From the Poe Grave to the Poe House Proceed west on Fayette Street for approximately 5 blocks until you come to Schroeder Street. Turn right on Schroeder Street and go two blocks and turn right onto Saratoga Street. Go 1/4 of a block and turn right onto Amity Street. The Poe House is located at the far left end of Amity Street. Look for a black antique street lamp that stands in front of the house.

July 4, 2009

Contacts

417 East Fayette St
8th floor
Baltimore, MD 21202

410-396-4866
410-396-PLAN (7526)
Fax: 410-396-5662


Downloads


Museum Location

203 North Amity Street Baltimore, Maryland 21223 Phone: 410-396-7932
Fax: 410-396-5662

Information

NOTE: We cannot be responsible for any errors or misinformation listed on other websites. The museum staff is not qualified to appraise rare books or objects. Please consult a rare book dealer.