The Poe Museum celebrated National Poetry Month this spring by hosting its annual student poetry contest. Middle and high school students across the U.S. were encouraged to write poems based around emotions featured in Poe's poetry: love, loss, and isolation. While we received many thoughtful and engaging poems, we ultimately selected one middle school and two high school winners. Thank you to everyone who submitted their works! Check back soon for more information on our next student writing contest this fall.
Middle School 1st Place WinnerJacob | Grade 8
"Misplaced"Theme: ...
The Poe Museum Blog
To My Mother: The Life and Death of Maria Poe Clemm
Written by Sabrina Yambao, Education Intern
Maria Poe Clemm, born March 17th, 1790 in Baltimore, Maryland, was the sister of David Poe Jr. and the aunt of Edgar Allan Poe. At the age of 27, she married merchant William Clemm Jr., as his second wife. Maria became a step-mother to Clemm’s five children and the two later had three children of her own. The youngest, Virginia, married Maria’s nephew, and her cousin, Edgar Allan Poe at the age of 13.
While technically both Poe’s mother-in-law and aunt, Poe viewed Maria as a motherly figure in his life, especially as both his biological ...
The Founding Women of the Poe Museum
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 ...
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 ...