The Poe Museum

Historic Garden Tour
2026-04-22 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-19 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | The Poe Museum, 1914 E Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23059, United States
Join us for a guided tour of The Poe Museum’s historic Enchanted Garden led by our Executive Director and Curator.

Registration required.

RSVP

Purchase Museum Admission

Poe and Cats Special Focus Tour
2026-04-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Poe Museum, 1914 E MAIN ST, RICHMOND, Virginia, 23223-6964
Join the Poe Museum on Saturday, April 18th for a special focus guided tour on Poe and Cats! This tour highlights Edgar Allan Poe’s connection cats and provides guests with a deeper understanding of Poe’s life, literature, and legacy. While you’re here, get to know our two resident cats, Edgar and Tib!

This tour has a limited capacity of 20 guests. Registration is required.

RSVP

PURCHASE MUSEUM ADMISSION

Cat Adoption Event 2026
2026-04-18 11:00 - 14:00 | The Poe Museum, 1914 E Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23059, United States
In partnership with RAL, the Richmond SPCA, and RACC, join us from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 18th for the third annual Cat Adoption Event at The Poe Museum!

On April 18th, the Enchanted Garden will once again be full of feline friends — and we’re not just talking about Edgar and Tib…

To make things even sweeter, we’ll be joined by The Exit Plan matcha cart.

Come find your purrfect companion at the Poe Museum on April 18th!

This event is free to attend, but we hope you’ll consider making a donation to one or all of the following organizations: The Poe Museum, RAL, The Richmond SPCA, and RACC.

Adoption fees – $100

Same day adoptions available (must be approved through application process). Please bring a cat carrier if you plan to adopt.

If you wish to tour the museum’s exhibits during your visit, please purchase admission in the shop or online before doing so. Event access is free, but we kindly ask that you keep to the garden and giftshop unless you’ve purchased admission. Thank you!

PARKING

The Poe Museum has a small gravel lot attached on 20th and Main Streets. If the lot is full, there is street parking available on surrounding streets.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Poe Museum is dedicated to creating an accessible space for all. The Poe Museum can provide wheelchair ramps upon request. Seating is limited, however The Poe Museum can provide additional seating upon request. The Poe Museum’s courtyard is laid with cobblestone, which may be difficult to navigate for individuals with wheelchairs. For more information on accessibility at the Poe Museum, please visit poemuseum.org/visit-us.

CODE OF CONDUCT

To ensure a positive experience for all visitors, we ask guests to abide by our Poe Museum Code of Conduct:1. Respect the SpacePlease do not touch any exhibit displays unless otherwise indicated.Keep your voices low while indoors.Leave food and drink in the Gift Shop, or the Enchanted Garden.Keep to the garden paths to avoid trampling plants and flowers.2. Respect OthersBe courteous to other museum visitors who are here to explore Poe’s legacy.Show respect to Poe Museum staff and volunteers, who work to provide a positive experience for all visitors, by following their instructions.Please supervise children.Guests who do not comply with the Poe Museum Code of Conduct may be asked to leave.

Lord Byron Death Day Celebration
2026-04-17 13:00 - 15:00 | The Poe Museum, 1914 E Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23059, United States
Celebrate Lord Byron’s 202 death day anniversary at the Poe Museum! Join us Friday, April 17th from 1:00pm-3:00pm for an opportunity to explore Lord Byron’s literature by reading selected poems and participating in self-guided crafts.

Our Education Coordinator will be providing a brief lecture at 1:30 which will serve as an introduction to Lord Byron’s life and his lasting influence on literature today.

Purchase admission here

Stavna Ballet Performance
2026-04-12 13:00 - 13:15 | Poe Museum’s Enchanted Garden, 1914 E Main St, Richmond VA, Virginia, 23223, United States
Join us for a special performance from Stavna Ballet, inspired by Poe’s poem “To One In Paradise.”

This event is included with admission, but we hope you’ll consider making a donation to one or both of the following nonprofit organizations: The Poe Museum and Stavna Ballet.

Tell-Tale Talks Featuring: Joshua Barton
2026-04-08 17:30 - 19:00 | Poe Museum’s Enchanted Garden, 1914 E Main St, Richmond VA, Virginia, 23223, United States
Join us at The Poe Museum on Wednesday, April 8th for a Tell-Tale Talk featuring Professor Joshua Barton on “How beautiful it is and how easily it can be broken”: The Tarnished Mirror of Southern Gothic Literature.

“How beautiful it is and how easily it can be broken”: The Tarnished Mirror of Southern Gothic Literature

This talk will introduce Southern Gothic fiction as a genre, focusing on how its decaying settings, eccentric characters, and moral tension reveal the cultural anxieties of the postbellum American South. Moving beyond haunted houses and grotesqueries, we will explore how writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Flannery O’Connor, and Tennessee Williams use distortion to expose themes of guilt and social decline. We’ll look at how the uncanny nature of Southern Gothic fiction often serves as a mirror to reflect the cultural and historical pressures of the American South, while also offering a vicious critique of its past. Through this discussion, Barton invite you to examine how the elements of these stories function as tools for social critique and psychological insight.

About Joshua Barton:

Joshua Barton is a professor of writing and literature and a lecturer on horror content of all kinds. He attended George Mason University as an undergraduate, where he completed a BA in English in 2009; for his MA in literature, he attended Southern New Hampshire University. His key area of academic research is horror literature, with a particular focus on Gothic fiction, haunted house stories, and feminist horror. He has taught at American University, George Mason University, and Virginia Commonwealth University, and developed horror literature courses with an emphasis on American monsters and cultural analysis. He is also a frequent collaborator with Profs & Pints, where he has lectured on everything from Victorian ghost stories to folk horror to the link between romance and monsters. Outside of literature, his interests include games (of all kinds), baking, and dogs!

General Event Information:

SCHEDULE:

5:30 PM – Doors open

5:45 PM – Zoom meeting opens

6:00 PM – Talk begins

VIRTUAL LIVESTREAMS:

Virtual ticket holders will be sent a Zoom webinar link for the livestream the day of the event. The Zoom invitation is also included in the confirmation email received upon purchase.

WEATHER:This event takes place outdoors. Please dress according to the weather forecast. In case of inclement weather, an alternate location may be announced.

FOOD & DRINK:One glass of wine included in in-person admission. Complimentary snacks and refreshments available.

PARKING:The Poe Museum has a small gravel lot attached on 20th and Main Streets. If the lot is full, there is street parking available on surrounding streets.

OTHER:

Chairs provided. Exhibits remain open to explore before or after the talk.

Reserve your tickets below!

Can’t make it in person? The talk can be streamed virtually! Select the Livestream ticket option at check out. Virtual ticket holders will be sent a Zoom webinar link for the livestream the day of the event.

For questions or media inquiries, please email Nicole Coppino at nicole@poemuseum.org.

Edgar's Enchanted Garden Family Day
2026-04-04 10:00 - 12:00 | The Poe Museum, 1914 E Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23059, United States
Celebrate National Poetry Month! Join us on Saturday, April 4th from 10:00am-12:00pm for an enchanted morning of nature poetry, crafts, and programming brought to you by The Poe Museum.

We will be joined by our community partner, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Check out their website for your child to receive free books!

Our next Enchanted Garden will be on October 11th from 10:00am-1:00pm.

RSVP

Guided Tour: The Women in Poe's Life
2026-03-31 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-26 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-12 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-05 11:00 - 12:00 | The Poe Museum, 1914 E Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23059, United States
Celebrate Women’s History Month at the Poe Museum!

Join the Poe Museum in a guided tour where we will explore the extraordinary lives of the women who shaped Poe’s life, his literature, and continued his legacy after his death.

Registrations required. Please RSVP below. You must purchase museum admission online or in-person for this guided tour.

RSVP

Tell-Tale Talks Featuring: Levi Lionel Leland
2026-03-25 17:30 - 19:00 | Poe Museum’s Enchanted Garden, 1914 E Main St, Richmond VA, Virginia, 23223, United States
Join us at The Poe Museum on Wednesday, March 25th for our first Tell-Tale Talk of 2026, featuring author Levi Lionel Leland, who will discuss his newest work, Edgar Allan Poe: The Master of the Macabre.

About Edgar Allan Poe:

Edgar Allan Poe dives deep into the life, stories, and legacy of the man who defined gothic fiction in the 19th century. Poe’s works such as The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Fall of the House of Usher continue to inspire readers, writers, and artists around the globe. This new release offers a fresh perspective and insight on Poe’s contributions to literature, his personal struggles, and the mysteries that shrouded his life and death.

About Levi Lionel Leland:

Levi Lionel Leland is a born and raised Rhode Islander with a new lifelong passion for Poe and his works. After visiting every Poe Museum or house in the country, he focused his attention homeward, learning all that he could about Poe’s time in Providence and creating the Edgar Allan Poe RI website and A Walking Tour of Poe’ Providence, where he shares his research and passion for our favorite gothic poet.

Copies of Levi’s book will be available for purchase during the event.

Reserve your tickets below!

Can’t make it in person? The talk can be streamed virtually! Select the Livestream ticket option at check out. Virtual ticket holders will be sent a Zoom webinar link for the livestream the day of the event.

Literature & Her: A Celebration of Gothic Women Writers
2026-03-13 15:00 - 17:00 | The Poe Museum, 1914 E Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23059, United States
Join us for a Friday the 13th celebration of gothic women writers! This event will include a lecture at 3:15pm by our curator on the literary works of the Brontës, Shelley, Radcliffe and other female authors who influenced the gothic genre.

Fountain Bookstore will run a pop-up bookstore where you can buy copies of the works of these prolific woman authors.

The Poe Museum will provide programming in our Enchanted Garden including letter writing and wax sealing.

At 4:00pm, our Education Coordinator will be leading a special focus tour on the lives of the women who surrounded Poe. Registration for this tour is required. Capacity of 20 attendees.

Light refreshments will also be provided.

RSVP for The Guided Tour

Short Story Club
2026-03-11 18:00 - 18:30
Join the Poe Museum for our virtual Short Story Club, a low-commitment literary gathering designed for the busy reader who may not be able to commit to reading a new book every month. Our Short Story Club meets once a month on Tuesdays on Zoom from 6:00pm-6:30pm–a perfect chance to unwind midweek, connect with fellow literature lovers, and enjoy new reads—all without ever leaving your living room. Each meeting we will explore one Poe short story paired with a complementary piece by another author.

Bring a friend, pour a drink, grab a blanket, and settle in for half-hour of literary discussions!

March

Berenice — Edgar Allan Poe, 1835

The Yellow Wallpaper — Charlotte Perkins Gilman, 1892

May

Island of the Fay — Edgar Allan Poe, 1841

The Five Boons of Life — Mark Twain, 1902

July

Spectacles — Edgar Allan Poe, 1844

The Necklace — Guy de Maupassant, 1884

September

The Imp of the Perverse — Edgar Allan Poe, 1845

The Horla — Guy de Maupassant, 1887

October

The Case of M. Valdemar — Edgar Allan Poe, 1845

The Monkey’s Paw — W.W. Jacobs, 1902

November

Man of the Crowd — Edgar Allan Poe, 1840

The Hanging Stranger — Philip K. Dick, 1953

Registration required.

Friday the 13th Valentines
2026-02-13 10:00 - 13:00 | The Poe Museum, 1914 E Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23059, United States
“We loved with a love that was more than love”

Celebrate Friday the 13th with your valentine at the Poe Museum! Craft your own gothic valentine’s card in our Poe shrine or read Poe’s romantic poetry with your loved one in our Enchanted Garden.

At 11:00am, join our Education Coordinator, Meg Luffman, for our Women in Poe’s Life focus tour to learn about women who Poe loved. Registrations required for The Women in Poe’s Life tour.

Register Here

Know Your Poe: Poe and the "Peculiar Institution"
2026-02-04 18:00 - 19:00
Join the Poe Museum for our “Know Your Poe” series, an evening program hosted quarterly that explores Edgar Allan Poe’s life through various thematic lenses. This series offers Poe-enthusiasts across the world to connect with the Poe Museum, literary scholars, and each other in hopes of gaining a deeper understanding of one of America’s most influential literary figures.

This 45-minute evening program is hosted on Zoom. The Zoom link will be sent to your email the day before the scheduled program.

Poe and the “Peculiar Institution:” Explore the lives of the men and women who labored in the Allan family home throughout Edgar Allan Poe’s childhood.

RSVP Required.

Edge of Seventeen Birthday Bash
2026-01-17 18:00 - 22:00 | Poe Museum’s Enchanted Garden, 1914 E Main St, Richmond VA, Virginia, 23223, United States
This event is SOLD OUT! Tickets will not be for sale at the door.

On Saturday, January 17th, celebrate the 217th birthday of Edgar Allan Poe with an EDGE OF SEVENTEEN themed Birthday Bash at the Poe Museum.

Admission tickets for this event are PRE-SALE ONLY – get yours now before they sell out!

Twirl under the moonlight (and a heated tent) to enchanting melodies from Cassidy Snider & The Wranglers, followed by Richmond surf-rock legends The Embalmers. Plus, enjoy a special mind-reading show from Alexander The Pretty Good Mentalist And Spiritualist. Sip on potions from our neighbors at Richbrau Brewing, an assortment of wines, or non-alcoholic refreshments. Fortify your magic with traditional or plant-based southern cuisine from 1115 Mobile Kitchen, for sale in our parking lot. Regale in ghost tales in the Old Stone House twice an hour from Haunts of Richmond. Exhibits also remain open, so feel free to explore!

Pssst – Looking for outfit inspo? Take a peek at our Pinterest board.

SCHEDULE:

6:00 PM – Gates open (located off of Main Street)

6:20 PM – Opening remarks from the Poe Museum’s Executive Director, plus a few words from the birthday boy himself!

6:30 PM – Ghost stories in the Old Stone House with Haunts of Richmond (twice an hour from 6:30 PM onward)

6:45 PM – Cassidy Snider & The Wranglers

7:15 PM – Alexander The Pretty Good Mentalist and Spiritualist

7:45 PM – The Embalmers

10:00 PM – Gates close

—

PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY:

WEATHER

This event is rain-or-shine. Tickets are not refundable or transferrable. The Poe Museum will not issue refunds on account of inclement weather.

TICKETS

Admission tickets are PRE-SALE ONLY for this event, and will NOT be available to purchase at the door. Drink tickets are available for pre-purchase, or you can purchase drinks at the cash bar.

RESTROOMSThe Poe Museum has two single stall restrooms within its historic buildings. Two portable toilets will also be available in the parking lot.

PARKING

The Virginia Holocaust Museum parking lot, adjacent to the Holocaust Museum entrance at 2000 E Cary St, will be available to Birthday Bash guests from 6:00pm – 10:00pm.

FOOD & DRINKBeer, wine and non-alcoholic refreshments will be for sale at a cash bar. If you plan on purchasing alcohol during the event, please bring a valid form of identification. To comply with our ABC license, we will check the IDs of ANYONE who plans to purchase alcohol – no exceptions. 1115 Mobile Kitchen will be for sale in the museum’s parking lot. We accept cash or credit card at the cash bar. We do not accept Apple Pay at this time. No outside food or drinks are permitted. No food or drinks are permitted inside the museum buildings.

ACCESSIBILITYThe Poe Museum is dedicated to creating an accessible space for all. The Poe Museum can provide wheelchair ramps upon request. There is no seating within the exhibits, however, The Poe Museum can provide additional seating in our exhibits upon request. The Poe Museum’s courtyard is laid with cobblestone, which may be difficult to navigate for individuals with wheelchairs. For more information on accessibility at the Poe Museum, please refer to poemuseum.org/visit-us.

CODE OF CONDUCTTo ensure a positive experience for all visitors, we ask guests to abide by our Poe Museum Code of Conduct.1. Respect the SpacePlease do not touch any exhibit displays unless otherwise indicated.Keep your voices low while indoors.Leave food and drink in the Gift Shop, or the Enchanted Garden.Keep to the garden paths to avoid trampling plants and flowers.2. Respect OthersBe courteous to other museum visitors who are here to explore Poe’s legacy.Show respect to Poe Museum staff and volunteers, who work to provide a positive experience for all visitors, by following their instructions.Please supervise children.Guests who do not comply with the Poe Museum Code of Conduct may be asked to leave.

—

For additional information or other inquiries please contact nicole@poemuseum.org.

Good For Her Presents: Little Women at The Poe Museum
2025-11-22 17:30 - 19:45 | The Poe Museum, 1914 E Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23059, United States
Presented by Good For Her, join us for Little Women (2019) at the Poe Museum!

Due to expected rain early in the day, we recommend either sitting in one of our provided folding chairs or bringing your own lawn chairs for this outdoor screening. Bringing a picnic blanket to sit on is no longer recommended, as the ground might be damp.

Plus, don’t forget to bundle like it’s Massachusetts in 1860 (dress warmly, bring blankets, etc.)!

Each ticket includes one hot beverage.

Schedule:

Doors open – 5:15 PM

Screening – 5:45 PM

Film synopsis: In 19th century Massachusetts, the March sisters–Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy–on the threshold of womanhood, go through many ups and downs in life and endeavor to make important decisions about their futures.

Rating: PG

Runtime: 2h 15m

—

GENERAL EVENT INFORMATION:

RESTROOMSThe Poe Museum has two single stall restrooms within its historic buildings.

PARKING

The Poe Museum resides at the corner of Main St. and 20th in downtown Richmond, Virginia. If you are traveling by car, you may use our parking lot connected to the museum on the corner of Main St. and 20th St. If our lot is filled, you may use street parking on the streets surrounding the Poe Museum (Main St., 20th St., Franklin St.).

FOOD & DRINKBeer, wine and non-alcoholic refreshments will be for sale at a cash bar. If you plan on purchasing alcohol during the event, please bring a valid form of identification. To comply with our ABC license, we will check the IDs of ANYONE who plans to purchase alcohol – no exceptions. Popcorn and other snacks will be for sale during the event. We accept cash or credit card. We do not accept Apple Pay at this time. No outside food or drinks are permitted. No food or drinks are permitted inside the museum buildings.

ACCESSIBILITYThe Poe Museum is dedicated to creating an accessible space for all. The Poe Museum can provide wheelchair ramps upon request. There is no seating within the exhibits, however, The Poe Museum can provide additional seating in our exhibits upon request. The Poe Museum’s courtyard is laid with cobblestone, which may be difficult to navigate for individuals with wheelchairs. For more information on accessibility at the Poe Museum, please refer to poemuseum.org/visit-us.

CODE OF CONDUCTTo ensure a positive experience for all visitors, we ask guests to abide by our Poe Museum Code of Conduct.1. Respect the SpacePlease do not touch any exhibit displays unless otherwise indicated.Keep your voices low while indoors.Leave food and drink in the Gift Shop, or the Enchanted Garden.Keep to the garden paths to avoid trampling plants and flowers.2. Respect OthersBe courteous to other museum visitors who are here to explore Poe’s legacy.Show respect to Poe Museum staff and volunteers, who work to provide a positive experience for all visitors, by following their instructions.Please supervise children.Guests who do not comply with the Poe Museum Code of Conduct may be asked to leave.

—

Exhibits remain open.

For additional information or other inquiries please contact nicole@poemuseum.org.

Know Your Poe: Private Perry/Private Poe
2025-10-29 18:00 - 19:00
Join the Poe Museum for our “Know Your Poe” series, an evening program hosted quarterly that explores Edgar Allan Poe’s life through various thematic lenses. This series offers Poe-enthusiasts across the world to connect with the Poe Museum, literary scholars, and each other in hopes of gaining a deeper understanding of one of America’s most influential literary figures.

This 45-minute evening program is hosted on Zoom. The Zoom link will be sent to your email the day before the scheduled program.

Private Perry/Private Poe: Explore Poe’s brief military career backdropped against his tumultuous relationship with his foster father. Fort Monroe will be joining the Poe Museum for this program.

RSVP Required.

Poe at the Pump House
2025-10-25 15:00 - 18:00 | Pump House Park 1708 Pump House Drive Richmond, VA 23221
Enjoy a dramatic reading of some of Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous work, performed by Poe Museum curator Chris Semtner.

Pump House’s most popular event is back for another ghoulish installment! Get your tickets while you can – this one is sure to be extra spooky with Halloween right around the corner.

Come for a tour of Richmond’s historic Byrd Park Pump House & listen to dramatic readings of Edgar Allan Poe’s greatest works! This historic building & its open-air ballroom offer the perfect venue for what has become an annual tradition at the Pump House.

Details:

From 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, three one-hour long Pump House experiences (20-minute tour + 40-minute Poe reading in the upstairs ballroom) are offered. These one-hour sessions will include a full walk-through history tour of the Pump House & dramatic readings of Edgar Allan Poe’s works, thanks to the Poe Museum.

Please arrive at the western door of the Pump House a few minutes early to sign in with an event volunteer.

Things to Note:

No need to print your tickets – they can e-check by name!

The building is not presently ADA accessible & those with mobility impairments may find some sections of the Pump House difficult to maneuver. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult during the tour. Animals are not permitted other than service animals.

Provided hardhats must be worn at all times while inside the Pump House.

Need help or have questions? Please contact info@friendsofpumphouse.org.

SOLD OUT: October 2025 UnHappy Hour: Rocky Horror Halloween
2025-10-23 18:00 - 21:00 | Poe Museum’s Enchanted Garden, 1914 E Main St, Richmond VA, Virginia, 23223, United States
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. Thank you for understanding.

LET’S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!

Celebrate 50 years of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a special Halloween UnHappy Hour on Thursday, October 23 from 6–9pm! Rock out to The Embalmers, sip on delicious brews from Triple Crossing plus an assortment of wines, and savor traditional or plant-based southern cuisine from 1115 Mobile Kitchen.

COSTUME CONTEST: The best Rocky Horror-inspired costume will win two complimentary tickets to the Poe Museum’s Birthday Bash in January!

We hope to see you there, for a miserable time from six to nine…

—

GENERAL EVENT INFORMATION:

RESTROOMSThe Poe Museum has two single stall restrooms within its historic buildings. Additionally, portable toilets will also be available in the Poe Museum parking lot during this event.

PARKINGFree overflow parking is available at the Holocaust Museum’s parking lot, located one block away from the Poe Museum, accessible by 21st or Dock St.

FOOD & DRINKBeer, wine and non-alcoholic refreshments will be for sale at a cash bar. While we accept cash or card, we do not accept Apple Pay at this time. If you plan on purchasing alcohol during the event, please bring a valid form of identification. To comply with our ABC license, we will check the IDs of ANYONE who plans to purchase alcohol – no exceptions. 1115 Mobile Kitchen will be for sale in the Poe Museum parking lot during the event. No outside food or drinks are permitted. No food or drinks are permitted inside the museum buildings.

WEATHERThis event is rain or shine. This event will be cancelled in the case of severe thunderstorms.

ACCESSIBILITYThe Poe Museum is dedicated to creating an accessible space for all. The Poe Museum can provide wheelchair ramps upon request. Seating is limited, however The Poe Museum can provide additional seating upon request. The Poe Museum’s courtyard is laid with cobblestone, which may be difficult to navigate for individuals with wheelchairs. For more information on accessibility at the Poe Museum, please visit https://poemuseum.org/visit-us/.

CODE OF CONDUCTTo ensure a positive experience for all visitors, we ask guests to abide by our Poe Museum Code of Conduct.1. Respect the SpacePlease do not touch any exhibit displays unless otherwise indicated.Keep your voices low while indoors.Leave food and drink in the Gift Shop, or the Enchanted Garden.Keep to the garden paths to avoid trampling plants and flowers.2. Respect OthersBe courteous to other museum visitors who are here to explore Poe’s legacy.Show respect to Poe Museum staff and volunteers, who work to provide a positive experience for all visitors, by following their instructions.Please supervise children.Guests who do not comply with the Poe Museum Code of Conduct may be asked to leave.

Due to mature themes, this event is not recommended for those younger than high-school aged. For anyone under 18 years of age, parental discretion is advised.

Exhibits remain open.

For additional information or other inquiries please contact nicole@poemuseum.org.

The Poe Sewciety 4th Annual Frocktails
2025-10-18 18:00 - 22:00 | Basic City Beer Co. Southside RVA, 212 W 6th St, Richmond, Virginia, 23224, United States
Join Richmond Really Sews for an unforgettable evening of fashion, fabric, and a touch of the macabre at The Poe Sewciety Frocktails 2025, proudly presented by Richmond Really Sews through partnership with Nonprofit Connection. This year in collaboration with The Poe Museum, inspiration is drawn from the haunting beauty and gothic elegance of Edgar Allan Poe. Step into a world where creative sewing meets poetic darkness—whether you’re channeling The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, or Annabel Lee, your tailor-made outfit is your canvas. Enjoy community and couture in an atmosphere that celebrates both craft and creativity. Don’t miss this annual celebration of stitchers and storytellers—where every thread tells a tale.

SOLD OUT: Good For Her Presents: Nosferatu, A Symphony of Horror at The Poe Museum
2025-10-17 18:00 - 21:00 | The Poe Museum, 1914 E Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23059, United States
A Symphony of Horror…Presented by Good For Her, join us on Friday, October 17th at 7:00 PM for Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922).

Limited seating will be provided. Bringing a lawn chair or blanket is highly encouraged.

Each ticket includes one small popcorn and one mini soda.

Join us before the show for a market, raffle and special Count Orlock Look-Alike contest!

Schedule:

Doors open, market/raffle – 6:00 PM

Count Orlock Look-Alike Contest – 6:30 – 7:00 PM

Screening – 7:30 PM

Film synopsis: Summoned to a bloodthirsty vampire’s faraway castle, a young land clerk embarks on a harrowing journey into the unknown as his innocent wife falls under the spell of a terrifying shadow in her dreams.

Rating: NR

Runtime: 1h 21m

Exhibits remain open before the show.

Wine and beer available at a cash bar. Popcorn and other concessions for sale.

For questions or media inquiries, please contact nicole@poemuseum.org.

This event is SOLD OUT. Add your name to the waitlist below.

Edgar's Enchanted Garden Family Day
2025-10-11 10:00 - 14:00 | The Poe Museum, 1914 E Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23059, United States
Join us on Saturday, October 11th from 10:00am-2:00pm for an enchanted free family day! Enjoy spooky arts, crafts, and programming brought to you by The Poe Museum, Richmond Public Library, and St. John’s Church.

We will be joined by London actor Stephen Smith who will be performing one man performances of “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Raven” (recommended for ages 8 & up).

Big Day Polaroids will be set-up in our Enchanted Garden where family polaroids will be available for purchase (be sure wear your costumes). Good Vices Ices will be selling sweet treats (Italian ice) in our garden as well. You won’t want to miss this enchanted fall celebration!

Tell-Tale Talks featuring: Stephen Smith
2025-10-08 18:00 - 20:30 | Poe Museum’s Enchanted Garden, 1914 E Main St, Richmond VA, Virginia, 23223, United States
About Stephen Smith:

Stephen Smith is an actor and theatre producer from Watford, UK. He trained at the National Youth Theatre and LIPA (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts). He is the Artistic Director of Threedumb Theatre, a four-time OFFIE award-winning theatre company. Under which, he has self-produced many of his own opportunities as a self-represented actor, including his solo shows Dog/Actor and One Man Poe, which have both toured nationally and internationally; visiting Dubai, Norway, Malaysia and USA.

Since the pandemic, Stephen has also become a multi-award-winning digital theatre creator and has taught undergraduate level actors-in-training how to create digital theatre in his innovative and unique ‘one-shot-live-film’ style.

Last year, Stephen took One Man Poe to the renowned Edinburgh Fringe – the world’s largest international arts festival – where he not only sold-out his entire run, but also won the Spookies Award for Best Horror Solo Show. One Man Poe has been hailed by critics across the UK as “the quintessential stage adaptation” of Edgar Allan Poe’s stories, and Stephen intends to share his theatrical renditions of Poe’s work for many years to come.

About One Man Poe:

Using Poe’s original text from the 1840s, one actor faithfully brings his words to life on stage, performing some of the most terrifying examples of gothic literature.

Run-Of-Show:

The Tell-Tale Heart / The Pit and the Pendulum / The Raven = 80mins (no intermission)

Short Story Club
2025-10-07 18:00 - 18:30
October readings: “The Oval Portrait” by Edgar Allan Poe and “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Join the Poe Museum for our virtual Short Story Club, a low-commitment literary gathering designed for busy reader who may not be able to commit to reading a new book every month. Our Short Story Club meets once a month on Tuesdays on Zoom from 6:00pm-6:30pm–a perfect chance to unwind midweek, connect with fellow literature lovers, and enjoy new reads—all without ever leaving your living room. Each meeting we will explore one Poe short story paired with a complementary piece by another author.

Bring a friend, pour a drink, grab a blanket, and settle in for half-hour of literary discussions!

Registration required.

September 2025 UnHappy Hour: Fairy-Land
2025-09-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Poe Museum’s Enchanted Garden, 1914 E Main St, Richmond VA, Virginia, 23223, United States
Live unhappily ever after…

Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “Fairy-Land,” join us for an evening of (dis)enchantment on Thursday, September 25 from 6–9pm at the Poe Museum’s Fairy-Land UnHappy Hour! Let the chimes of Tiara & Andrew and Deau Eyes transport you to a strange and beautiful place, full of moonlight and winged creatures. Eat like a king with 1115 Mobile Kitchen, serving up ye olde traditional or plant-based southern cuisine. Indulge in the delightful tinctures of our sponsor, Hidden Wit Brewing Company, plus an assortment of wines.

Optional Dress Code: Fairytale/Renaissance Fair

We hope to see you there, for a miserable time from six to nine…

***

This event is open to all ages. The Poe Museum will not serve alcohol to any individual under the age of 21.

Exhibits remain open.

Extra parking available at the Holocaust Museum’s parking lot, accessible by 21st or Dock St.

Email nicole@poemuseum.org for media inquiries or any additional information.

Silent Music Revival at The Poe Museum
2025-09-19 19:00 - 21:00 | The Poe Museum, 1914 E Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23059, United States
Welcome the autumn season…Presented by James River Film Society, join us on Friday, September 19th at 7:00 PM for Silent Music Revival, Richmond’s enduring live music silent cinema series, live at the Poe Museum. Featuring silent era films based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe, with a live score by GULL.

Schedule:

Doors – 7:00 PM

Screening – 7:30 PM

Wine and beer will be available to purchase at a cash bar.

For questions or media inquiries, please contact Nicole Coppino at nicole@poemuseum.org.

This event has reached capacity. Sign up for the waitlist below!

Witold Krull & Edgar Allan Poe Writing Contest
2025-09-17 00:00 - 2025-10-31 23:59 | The Poe Museum, 1914 E Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23059, United States
THE KEY TO ONE’S DEATH, OR RATHER AN ABSURD EXPLORATION OF A WRITER’S LIFE

A Resolute Literary Contest on the Unearthed Connection Between Two Desperate Writers: Edgar Allan Poe and Witold Krull

“October 7th, 1849, Edgar Allan Poe found dead, wearing another’s clothes with only a key found in his pocket. The cause of his death is yet to be determined”

On October 1939, almost 90 years after the death of the American poet and writer Edgar A. Poe, a rare, unnamed manuscript of Poe’s was discovered in room 208 of the Hotel Greene. This discovery was made just days after the death of fellow writer Witold Krull. It is unclear how Krull came into the possession of this manuscript (in the last year of Poe’s life whilst living in Richmond, he sold several papers to Brodski and Lange) however, the significance of this parchment now connects these two desolate writers, out of time and out of space.

Now it is time to honor these two gone but not forgotten writers whose mysterious deaths haunt us today. The parameters are as follows…

i) Your work should embody the voice of a struggling writer

ii) Should attempt to unlock the key to death’s mysteries

iii) Must mention the wonderful city of Richmond and include details related to the locations of Hotel Greene and the Poe Museum (the more unique the better!)

iv) Should be no longer than a page

We encourage all our littérateurs to visit the grand buildings of Hotel Greene (508 East Franklin Street) and The Poe Museum (1914 E Main St) to draw inspiration for your masterpieces. During you visit, snap a photo and tag us @poemuseum and @hotelgreene.

SUBMISSION DUE DATE: October 31st 2025 at 11:59pm.

CRITERIA & SUBMISSION:

This contest is open to 18+ writers

Submissions must follow the prompt and must be an original work. No plagiarism. No AI.

Judging will be done by Poe Museum and Hotel Greene staff.

Contest winners will be announced by November 15th via email.

PRIZE:

$100 Hotel Greene gift card

Two tickets to a 2026 Poe Museum UnHappy Hour

Publication of winning work on The Poe Museum’s website

A reception (with cake)!

QUESTIONS: Please contact programs@poemuseum.org for questions regarding this contest.

Submit Here
