Edgar Allen Poe: A Baltimore Legacy

Edgar Allen Poe House

Edgar Allen Poe was an American writer, most well-recognized for his haunting poems and short stories. He was born in Boston in 1809, but troubles at home sent Poe in seek of refuge in Baltimore, where he lived in a home with his aunt, grandmother, and two cousins during the years 1833-1835. 

Though his years spent living in the house were few, Baltimore was a period of profound impact on the trajectory of Poe's career and personal life. It was here that he made several literary connections, including that of the Southern Literary Messenger that published some of his initial poems and stories. It was also where he first met his wife, Virginia Clemm. 

Poe's home-turned-museum is open year-round to small group tours Thursday through Sunday, from 11am-4pm. During my visit, I learned that the home's interior fabrics, woodwork, and (rather treacherous) staircases have all been preserved in their original form. Although the majority of furniture has been long removed from the space, Poe Baltimore's conservators have worked hard to recreate the spaces as they would have been while Poe was living in the house. The walls are covered in placards, maps, photographs, and other illustrations detailing Poe's life in Baltimore. You can even see a set of china and glassware Poe would have eaten from!

 

If Poe's home didn't convince you of his connection to Baltimore, his gravestone just might. Just short of a mile from the museum, Poe was laid to rest at Westminster Hall, alongside his mother and wife. Tours of Westminster Burying Ground and Catacombs and available year round, an opportunity for the public to pay tribute to Poe and other historic Baltimore figures. 

Poe's mark on the city is undeniable. Like many Baltimore residents, you may be showing pride for Poe without even realizing it! A fan of the NFL? The city's beloved Ravens Football team is named after one of Poe's most famous poems titled 'The Raven.' Are you a foodie? Baltimore does not shy away from Poe-themed restaurants, cocktails, and even ice cream! The Charmery, a local ice cream parlor with locations all around the city, makes a fabulous "Tell Tale Chocolate." This deep, dark chocolate dream is inspired by Poe's short story, "The Tell-Tale Heart."

Tell Tale Chocolate at The Charmery

Next time you venture into a new part of the city, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for some Poe paraphernalia. Don't be a poe-ser; immerse yourself in Baltimore's deep literary history and culture!