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THE POE MUSEUM

Richmond, Va
Edgar Allen Poe Portrait - The Poe Museum's Collections

Who Is Edgar Allan Poe?

Edgar Poe was born on January 19th, 1809 to traveling actors Eliza and David Poe. When Edgar was a baby, David abandoned the family, leaving Eliza to support three young children. In a devastating turn, Eliza contracted tuberculosis and spent the last few months of her life in Richmond. She died on December 8th, 1811 at the age of 24, leaving behind her three children.  Two-year-old Edgar was taken in by Richmond couple John and Frances Allan. Edgar was never officially adopted, a cause and result of constant tensions between him and his foster father. He did not take their last name, but instead he became Edgar Allan Poe.

Our Collection

Our Events

  • Edge of Seventeen Birthday Bash

    Poe Museum's Enchanted Garden 1914 E Main St, Richmond VA, Virginia, 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 […]

    $10 – $20
  • Know Your Poe: Poe and the “Peculiar Institution”

    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 […]

    Free – $5
  • Friday the 13th Valentines

    The Poe Museum 1914 E Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, 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 […]

    Free
  • Short Story Club

    Short Story Club

    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 […]

    Free
  • Literature & Her: A Celebration of Gothic Women Writers

    The Poe Museum 1914 E Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, United States

    Join us for a Friday the 13th celebration of gothic women writers! This event will include a lecture by our curator on the literary works of the Brontës, Shelley, Radcliffe […]

    $12
  • Tell-Tale Talks featuring: Levi Lionel Leland

    Poe Museum's Enchanted Garden 1914 E Main St, Richmond VA, Virginia, 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. Levi will discuss his newest work, Edgar Allan […]

    $10
  • Short Story Club

    Short Story Club

    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 […]

    Free

Our Blog

Poe and Frankenstein

Today marks the 208th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s seminal Gothic novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. For over two centuries, Frankenstein has captivated audiences, whether through the original novel or its many film adaptations. Recently, horror director

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Edgar Allen Poe Collections - Poe Photo Portrait - black and white

Poe/Krull Writing Contest Winners

Congratulations to the winner of the Poe Museum’s and Hotel Greene’s writing contest: Lee Blanton. Check our Lee’s submission below as well as the submissions from our runner ups! Winner:

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