4 Reasons to visit the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum

203 N. Amity Street

Hours of Operation
Open to visitors on a seasonal schedule. Currently open through Dec. 28, every Saturday & Sunday from 11am-3:45pm

Literature lovers and Poe enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to Poe Baltimore, the Edgar Allan Poe house and museum. Poe’s home has been preserved with much of the exterior and interior original fabric (although the house isn’t furnished).

PoeInBaltimore.org offers a comprehensive overview of the house’s significance and of Poe’s significance to Baltimore:

In a tiny brick house on Baltimore’s North Amity Street in 1833-1835 Edgar Allan Poe wrote some of the early stories that would make him the father of the modern short story, and create and define the modern genres of mystery, horror and science fiction.

His spirit and legacy live throughout Baltimore City, inspiring authors, poets, playwrights, businesses – and even our sports teams. Poe Baltimore celebrates this legacy.

Poe Baltimore was created to fund, maintain and interpret The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, and to celebrate the legacy of one of Baltimore’s most famous residents. We are dedicated to maintaining the museum as a vibrant experience for the thousands of visitors who come from around the world each year, and as part of a broader mission of city-wide events and educational opportunities.

Poe Baltimore is committed to enriching the experience of visitors to Baltimore, who come to witness the city that inspired Edgar Allan Poe and his intellectual and literary heirs. We are committed to protecting, preserving and celebrating the rich history of the city, the house, and the legacy of one of our most beloved denizens.

Take a Tour

A weekend self-guided tour of the Edgar Allan Poe house and museum allows you to get a feel for the town and the very walls that set the landscape for Poe’s imagination and work. You’ll see exhibits on Poe’s foster parents, his life and death in Baltimore, and poems and short stories written in Baltimore. It also features significant artifacts including Poe’s chair, lap desk and telescope. Any of the docents can answer questions and give insight into Poe’s life.

 

3rd Annual Black Cat Ball

Although it doesn’t take place at the Edgar Allan Poe house and museum, there’s no better way for Gothic literature enthusiasts to spend Halloween than at Poe’s Black Cat Ball at the Mobtown Ballroom (861 Washington Blvd) from 8pm till midnight.

Attendees will get an exclusive first when the next Poe Toaster finalists are announced! But what…or rather who…is the Poe Toaster?

 

The Poe Toaster

A mysterious tradition began sometime in the early 20th century, where a shadowy individual would appear at Poe’s grave, toast him with cognac, and leave three red roses in a specific pattern. Through the years, the original toaster’s legacy was passed on to “a son,” and notes were occasionally left. Around 2010, the Toaster stopped coming. Now, in partnership with the Maryland Historical Society, each year the Edgar Allan Poe house and museum auditions and selects a Poe Toaster to carry on the tradition.

Learn more about the Poe Toaster at the Maryland Historical Society website.

 

Visit Poe’s Grave

Westminster Hall and Edgar Allan Poe’s grave are in the southeast corner of Fayette and Greene Streets. 
The Edgar Allan Poe Society gives helpful directions:

From the Poe House on Amity Street: Continue south on Amity to the end of the block. Turn left on Lexington to the first traffic light, which is Fremont. Turn right on Fremont and follow for 2 blocks south to Baltimore Street. Turn left on Baltimore and go 3 blocks to Paca. (The University of Maryland Hospital will be on your left and the Veterans Hospital on your right.) Turn left on Paca and stay in the left lane. Go one block and turn left on Fayette, heading west. The next street is Greene. Westminster Hall and the Poe Grave are immediately on the left, at the corner.

 

Although mystery and intrigue surrounds everything about Poe, from his death to his burial and beyond, one thing is for sure: a Poe pilgrimage should begin at the Edgar Allan Poe house and museum.

 

We’d love to host Poe enthusiasts at the historic Wayside Inn in nearby Ellicott City. Book your stay and download our free vacation guide today!

 

 

Photo credit, Poe house: Mitch LeClair / Flicrk

Photo credit, Poe’s grave: Seth Sawyers / Flickr