Written by Chris Semtner, Curator
Celebrate Women's History Month by learning of the revolutionary women who founded the Poe Museum and illuminated Poe's history forevermore.
Mary Gavin Traylor (1890 – 1946)
It is safe to say that the Poe Museum would not exist today if Mary Gavin Traylor had not steered it through the Great Depression as the museum’s board secretary, librarian, curator, tour guide, host, fundraiser, and caretaker from 1928 until 1946. As if that were not impressive enough, she did all of this part-time while maintaining her job writing for the Richmond News ...
The Poe Museum Blog
Poe Museum Student Poe-try Contest
Submissions Due: April 30th, 2024 at 11:59pm
Calling all young poets! Celebrate National Poetry Month with the Poe Museum by writing a piece of original poetry inspired by Poe's works. This contest is open to middle and high school students. The winning students will receive a Poe Museum swag bag and have their work published on the Poe Museum's website. The supporting teacher will receive a complimentary virtual field trip. View our submission form below for more information.
Contest Submission Form ...
Understanding the Lives of Enslaved and Freed African Americans in Early Republic Virginia Through John Allan’s Slaveholdings
Written by Emma Clark, Education Manager
Introduction
The land surrounding the fall line of the James River, now known as Richmond, Virginia, has played a pivotal role in this nation’s history. As the ancestral home of the Powhatan Confederacy, the site of Patrick Henry’s “Liberty or Death” speech, and an epicenter of the American Civil War, there is no doubting Richmond’s influence over the major events of U.S. history. Several notable American figures called Richmond their home including Chief Justice John Marshall, Maggie Walker, and perhaps most notably, Edgar Allan ...
2023 Student Writing Contest
The Poe Museum hosted its annual writing contest for middle and high school students this fall. Students were encouraged to submit either a narrative or persuasive essay pertaining to Poe's legacy in Richmond today. Check out the winners of each category below. For more information on our 2024 "Tell-Tales" writing contest contact our Education Manager at emma@poemuseum.org.
Persuasive Essay 1st Place WinnerSophia | Grade 8
Persuasive Essay Prompt: Persuasive: Many cities, including Baltimore and Philadelphia, claim Edgar Allan Poe, but Poe claimed Richmond. Write a ...