Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, PA
The legacy of Edgar Allan Poe’s work and his time spent in the city of Philadelphia are forever immortalized at Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site. This mid 18th-century home, once rented by Poe, is one of the National Park Service Sites in Pennsylvania.
One of history’s most famous and beloved American writers, Edgar Allan Poe was best known for his poems and short stories. His work often utilized “dark” themes, and they were surrounded with mystery. Born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1809, Poe spent his life between many different U.S. cities. While living at several different residencies in Philadelphia, Poe produced some of his finest work, including “The Tell-Tale Heart”. However, it is nearly impossible to know for certain which specific works of literature of Edgar Allan Poe’s were penned within this home.
The Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site is affiliated with another National Park Service Site located in Philadelphia — Independence National Historical Park.
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About Edgar Allan Poe
Born in 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts, Edgar Allan Poe’s parents were both actors. Orphaned at a young age, Edgar was taken in by a couple with the name “Poe” from Richmond, Virginia. Although never legally adopted by John and Frances, he was raised by the Poes and would be given their name.
In 1826, Poe enrolled in the University of Virginia where he studied Latin and French. However, he was unable to finish his studies at the school, due to debt and other financial issues with his foster father.
After attending the University of Virginia, Poe would return to the city where he was born, in hopes of pursuing a career in literature. While in Boston, Poe had his first book of poetry published, titled Tamerlane and Other Poems. Edgar Allan Poe would also enlist in the United States Army for a five year term (leaving after two), serving as a non-commissioned officer at various posts along the east coast.
Edgar Allan Poe enlisted at the United States Military Academy at West Point in July of 1830. Unable to obtain permission from his foster father to resign, Poe would be purposefully kicked out of the academy for neglecting his duties — realizing that writing and literature were his true passion and calling.
After his short stay at West Point, Poe moved to Baltimore to stay with his Aunt Maria Poe Clemm and her daughter, Virgina. Edgar Allan Poe would be offered a job as an editor in Richmond, which he accepted. Poe moved to Richmond in 1835, and Maria and Virginia (whom he would soon marry) followed him the next year.
In search of literary work, the Poes and Aunt Maria moved to New York City in 1837. However, Poe was unable to find work, so the family moved to Philadelphia the following year. Thought to be the happiest years of his life, Poe’s six years spent in Philadelphia were also his most productive. While in Philadelphia, Edgar Allan Poe worked for one of the country’s largest magazines, Graham’s Magazine.
Leaving for New York City once again in 1844, Poe would published one of his most famous poems, “The Raven”, the following year. After suffering from tuberculosis for several years, his wife Virginia died in 1847 from the disease. Returning to New York City from a lecture tour in 1849, Poe would make a stop in Baltimore and suddenly die from “acute congestion of the brain.”
History of Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
Edgar Allan Poe lived in several homes throughout the six years he spent in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. However, the home at Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site is the only one in Philadelphia which still stands. The house was rented by Poe in 1843, but he would only live there for less than a year.
Although there is much speculation by experts as to which of Poe’s titles were written in this home, there is no concrete evidence. Some titles which are hypothesized to have been written at this site include:
- “A Tale of the Ragged Mountains”
- “Eulalie”
- “The Balloon-Hoax”
The US National Park Service began managing the home at Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site in 1978. The site became open to the public in 1980.
Visiting Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
The Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site is located on North 7th Street in Philadelphia’s Spring Garden neighborhood. Admission to this National Park Service Site is free. However, the site is only open three days a week — Friday through Sunday from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM. Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site is closed on most American federal holidays.
The Visitor Center is directly attached to the house that Poe lived in. Tours led by National Park Service Rangers are available at Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, which I would highly recommend, as the Rangers are extremely knowledgeable about Edgar Allan Poe, his literature and the site. These tours are also free.
Although it is easily accessible to visitors, the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site is situated at least a mile away from many of the famous sites within Independence National Historical Park, such as Independence Hall (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Liberty Bell. However, street parking is plentiful within the vicinity, which makes reaching it by car quite feasible.
Click here to view the official National Park Service page for the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site.
