Edgar Allan Poe’s Baltimore, Baltimore

Edgar Allan Poe’s Baltimore (Self Guided), Baltimore

Edgar Allan Poe was a great American writer of short stories and poems. His works, from "The Raven" to "The Tell-Tale Heart," have inspired generations. Devotees of Edgar Allan Poe will find many mesmerizing spots in Edgar Allan Poe's Baltimore.

Poe moved to Baltimore for the first time in 1829 and left shortly thereafter. He returned in 1831 and wrote many poems and short stories in his newly adopted home. He also met his wife, who was also his first cousin, while living in the home of his aunt in what is now the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum.

Baltimore is perhaps most infamous for being the place where Poe died. Poe was found in a state of delirium and taken to Church Hospital, where he passed away. Prior to this, the last place he was seen was Al and Ann's, which is now The Horse You Came In On Saloon. The saloon has a marking showing the stool Poe sat upon before his untimely death.

Edgar Allan Poe's Grave Site and Memorial at Westminster Hall is a place of pilgrimage for his fans. They can also visit the grave of Poe's wife, Virginia, who passed away at age 24, 11 years after the two were wed.

Take this self-guided walking tour to pay homage to the life and death of Edgar Allan Poe.
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Edgar Allan Poe’s Baltimore Map

Guide Name: Edgar Allan Poe’s Baltimore
Guide Location: USA » Baltimore (See other walking tours in Baltimore)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 5
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.5 Km or 3.4 Miles
Author: rose
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum
  • Edgar Allan Poe's Grave Site and Memorial
  • Edgar Allan Poe Room at Enoch Pratt Free Library
  • Church Hospital (Site of Poe’s Death)
  • The Horse You Came in On
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Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum

1) Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum

The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum was once the home of American writer and poet Edgar Allan Poe. It is now an unfurnished house museum. Much of the original woodwork remains in the house, but no artifacts from Poe's time there are on display.

The home was built in 1830. Poe moved into the house in 1833 when he was 23 years old. He lived in the house for two years. It is thought that Poe wrote several stories while living in the house. Among these are "Berenice," "Morella," and "The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall." It is also thought that he wrote the poems "Latin Hymn," "Enigma," "Serenade," and "The Coliseum" under this roof.

The house was opened as a museum in 1949. The museum hosts the International Edgar Allan Poe Festival and Awards each October. Tours of the house are only available through reservations.

The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum is a U.S. National Historic Landmark and a Baltimore City Landmark, listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
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Edgar Allan Poe's Grave Site and Memorial

2) Edgar Allan Poe's Grave Site and Memorial

Edgar Allan Poe's Grave Site and Memorial is a monument to one of the greatest writers from the United States. After he died in 1849, Poe was buried in an unmarked grave at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Baltimore. Eleven years later, it was finally marked with a small tombstone.

The monument was erected in 1874. It was designed by George A. Frederick and carved by Hugh Sisson. The marble stone has no epitaph and only provides Poe's name, date of death, and an incorrect birthdate.

The monument is located in the front corner of Westminster Hall and Burying Ground. His remains were moved to this spot in 1875. His wife's remains were also moved from their resting place in New York near Poe.

A bas-relief bust of Poe rests in front of the monument. It is a bronze-cast copy of an original marble bust crafted by Frederick Volck. The first bust eroded quickly due to the soft marble that was used.

A second stone was added in 1913 to mark Poe's original burial site in the back of the church.
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Edgar Allan Poe Room at Enoch Pratt Free Library

3) Edgar Allan Poe Room at Enoch Pratt Free Library

The Enoch Pratt Free Library is a public library in Baltimore. The library is notable for those on Edgar Allan Poe walking tours for its Edgar Allan Poe Reading Room.

The Poe Room is located on the second floor of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. It contains a selection of books by and about Poe. The library also has a collection of letters and documents related to Edgar Allan Poe. These documents were gifted to the library by Amelia F. Poe, the daughter of Neilson Poe, Edgar's cousin.

The Poe Room has a large portrait of Edgar Allan Poe that rests above a fireplace. Purple, upholstered chairs sit next to long tables used for research and reading. There are also smaller tables and a sofa with a more private setting. The Poe room is free to use.
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Church Hospital (Site of Poe’s Death)

4) Church Hospital (Site of Poe’s Death)

Church Hospital is an important part of any Edgar Allan Poe walking tour. Church Home and Hospital was the site of Poe's death. He had been found semiconscious in a street gutter and taken to Church Hospital, where he died under the care of Dr. John J. Moran.

The hospital opened in 1833. It was initially part of the Washington Medical College, later purchased by the Protestant Episcopal Church and used as a hospital and long-term care facility. It continued to function as a care facility through 2000.

Church Hospital was turned into a residential development in 2005. The building now holds 166 townhouses. It is now known as Broadway Overlook. A bronze plaque in the lobby refers to Poe's death in the building. Another marks the location of the room where Edgar Allan Poe passed away, but many scholars argue that the exact location of Poe's hospital room is known.
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The Horse You Came in On

5) The Horse You Came in On

The Horse You Came In On Saloon, commonly known in Baltimore as The Horse, is a saloon in Baltimore. It is the oldest continuously operating saloon in the United States, established in 1775.

The Horse was first called Al and Ann's when built. The name change did not happen until 1972 when it was purchased by Howard Gerber. Though there have been many renovations, the saloon retains the colonial architecture of its 18th-century construction.

The saloon is a popular spot for those on Edgar Allan Poe walking tours. It is believed the last place the poet visited before he died in 1849. A seat at the bar is marked as Poe's Last Stop.

The Horse offers drinks, food, live music, and special events. It is open from 6 PM to 1:30 AM on weeknights, from noon to 1:30 AM on Saturdays, and from noon to 10 PM on Sundays.

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