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Plan a Road Trip > Explore America > National Parks > Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site |
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7th and Spring Garden Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Phone: 215-597-8780
Fax: 215-597-1901
Open All Year
Overview. Edgar Allan Poe, one of young America's most celebrated writers, lived for six years at various locations in Philadelphia. The city, at one time the nation's cultural capital, proved fertile ground for Poe's active imagination. He published his most famous stories --"The Murders in the Rue Morgue" and "The Fall of the House of Usher" among them -- while living here, and it's said the Seventh Street house cellar is the setting for "The Black Cat."
What to see and do. Located at the corner of Spring Garden and Seventh streets, Poe's 1843-44 residence is just outside of Philadelphia's Center City. When you arrive, you'll find three handicapped-accessible buildings, two of which are the visitor center. Poe wrote mysterious stories and led a mysterious life. So few details of his life remain that the six rooms of his house have been purposefully left empty except for a wall displaying photographs of his family. Ranger tours suggest how Poe may have used the rooms, but you are free to imagine the details. In the visitor center, watch the slide presentation and look at copies of original story illustrations. After you browse in the bookstore, which specializes in American writers, don't miss the "Reading Room" with its dramatic renderings of Poe stories on audio tapes. There is also a nonlending library for students who wish to learn more about Poe.
Depending on the day you visit, you may encounter some special programs. On January 19, you can take a literary theme tour to commemorate Poe's birthday (call ahead for details). Kids 8 to 12 enjoy the Summer Magazine Club from June through August, and in October, candlelight tours commemorate Poe's death. If you plan to visit with a group of over ten people (25 is the limit), reservations are recommended. School tours must make a reservation. There is no entrance fee. Braille tests are available. Normally, Poe's house is open from 9 AM to 5 PM daily June through October. The site is closed Mondays and Tuesdays from November through May, and on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Note: the site is currently closed due to construction and is scheduled to reopen in September 2000.
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Please call ahead to confirm details. We do our best to give you current information, but facts can change. Please let us know if you find something's changed.
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