Humble Home of Edgar Allan Poe

On a quiet city street sits a remarkably small brick house. There is nothing about it that would indicate the horrific and mysterious stories that came to life inside its four walls. But, in the 1830s the quaint house on the corner of Amity Street in Baltimore, Maryland was the home of Edgar Allan Poe, one of America’s first literary masters.

 It was here that Poe would marry his cousin Virginia, rumored to be the inspiration behind many of his poems and short stories. It was also here that Poe became the first American writer to support himself entirely by the work of his pen. Never before had American publishing been able to support authors and writers in full-time careers. Poe would dedicate his entire life to letters and it was in Baltimore that he was offered an editorial position that led to great acclaim and recognition.

 The home on Amity Street was rented by Poe’s aunt Maria Clemm with the pension funds of their illustrious relative, Revolutionary War veteran David Poe, Sr. Also in the household was Maria’s daughter, Virginia and Maria’s mother Elizabeth. Poe was given a room on the top of the floor of the home that stood six feet at its highest point. He came to live with these members of his family following his disastrous experiences in the military.

 Today the home is open to the public as a museum with self-guided tours. Guests can admire some of Poe’s personal possessions and reproductions of some other artifacts of interest. It also serves as the home of the Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore.

 Each January the Poe House Museum hosts the “World’s Largest Celebration of Poe’s Birthday” with many sell-out performances of plays, readings and unique routines inspired by Poe’s life and work, as well as various celebrations surrounding his time and literary activities in Baltimore.

 While he was a bit mysterious in life, and in the unanswered questions surrounding his untimely death, there is another mystery around Edgar Allan Poe that exists today. Each year on the anniversary of his birthday the legendary “Poe Toaster” makes an appearance at the author’s grave. Garbed entirely in black and carrying a silver-tipped cane the unknown individual visits the Westminster Hall and Burying Ground in Baltimore, leaving three red roses and a half-bottle of cognac on the grave, and departs without allowing him or her self to be seen. The Poe Society now hosts an apple cider toast along with the appearance of the mysterious figure in black at the author’s gravesite.

 The Poe House Museum has visiting hours from April through November and is run under the control of the Baltimore City's Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation.  Because you're not likely going to want to stay in Mr. Poe's house, even if you were allowed, you're going to need a nice Baltimore hotel to put yourself up in.  Consider exploring the many accommodation options at HotelsCombined.com.