Edgar Allan Poe Museum

Richmond Times-Dispatch Archives

Published: September 17, 2008

Check our photos
of the Edgar Allan Poe statue at Capitol Square.

Edgar Allan Poe Museum,1914-16 E. Main St., Shockoe Bottom. Memorabilia of Edgar Allan Poe, who spent part of his life in Richmond. Four buildings contain artifacts, memorabilia and other material. Includes a courtyard and garden and the Old Stone House, which was built around 1738 and is the oldest house in Richmond—home to the decendants of Jacob Ege. Opened as a shrine to Poe in 1922.

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Monday. Tours on the hour, final at 4 p.m. Cost, $5-6.

Info: 648-5523 or poemuseum.org

OVERVIEW
The name Edgar Allan Poe might bring to mind grisly tales of madmen and murder, but did you know he was also a science-fiction writer? Was Poe mad, or was he an alcoholic with an active imagination? A visit to the Edgar Allan Poe Museum sheds light on Poe’s life, loves and works while leaving some areas cloaked in darkness.

The entrance to the museum is through the Old Stone House. Poe never lived there, but the house, built in 1736-37, is the oldest building in Richmond. Poe was born Jan. 19, 1809 in Boston, and died under mysterious circumstances Oct. 7, 1849 in Baltimore.

In between, he spent several periods of his life in Richmond. The buildings he lived and worked in no longer exist.

Tours begin at the Old Stone House, where visitors choose between guided or self-guided tours or access only to the Old Stone House and garden.

In addition to the Old Stone House, the tour includes adjacent buildings housing an enormous model of Richmond as it existed during Poe’s lifetime and exhibits focusing on Poe’s family, love interests and associates and his work at the monthly magazine The Southern Literary Messenger.

The Enchanted Garden behind the Old Stone House was beautiful, even in winter. The museum rents the garden for weddings and other ceremonies.