A Feeling of Impending DOOM
May 1, 2024 by Poe House Manager
Doom and Deadlines at Poe House
| Poe events are springing up all over Baltimore City as the Season begins in earnest for the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum. Along with extended schedule for weekly tours of Poe House and the return of monthly Poe’s Death in Baltimore Bus Tours, The Poe Death Exhibit and new Ghastly Galentine Pop-up Shop are now open every weekend at Carroll Mansion.
Equal parts elation and fear? That lingering dread is the knowledge our newest offering, a series of monthly speaker events at Carroll Mansion, is doomed before it even begins: Poe Baltimore is honored to host the National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre’s third annual DOOMSDAY, a 24-hour reading of Poe stories and poems. The event series will continue in June as we welcome the return of POEetic Justice, the organizers of Ravenfest in Ayrshire, Scotland, for ALLAN vs. POE, a Discussion About Fatherhood. All events are held in-person and stream live from Carroll Mansion.
It’s a lot to take in, we realize. Gird yourselves, the pressure won’t let up: deadline approaches for artists and writers to enter the Saturday ‘Visiter’ Awards! Poe Baltimore is thrilled to announce this year’s slate of judges and our esteemed guest-of-honor, Mark Dawidziak, for the awards at this year’s International Edgar Allan Poe Festival. VIP Festival pre-sales are ON SALE NOW! <Insert evil laughter emoji here.>
You have been warned. Read the latest newsletter here.
Yours in Poe,
Enrica Jang
Director, Poe Baltimore
P.S. Our commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Poe House & Museum in Baltimore continues. Each month we’re sharing facts, points of interest, and hidden history of Poe House, from its savior from demolition in 1940, to the future of the museum as we look ahead to transformation and expansion. This month we share the history of Poe House and the Edgar Allan Poe Homes Housing Project. |
|
Poe Festival VIP Pre-Sales Have Opened!
April 12, 2024 by Poe Baltimore
The International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards returns to Baltimore the weekend of October 4-6, 2024! We’re celebrating a Diamond Anniversary: 75 years honoring Poe’s legacy at the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum in Baltimore.
Attendees will see the return of in-person stage and vendors at Poe House. Admission to festival grounds is FREE. Additional ticketed events will take place all weekend, proceeds to benefit The Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum in Baltimore. There are many ways to celebrate Poe during festival weekend! VIP Pre-sales are open NOW and close May 31!
Donate a PAVER FOR POE in the new walkway at “Poe Park”, get first access to VIP Death Weekend Bus Tour tickets or Black Cat Ball tickets at the 2024 International Edgar Allan Poe Festival in October! Tour tickets usually sell out a month before the festival, and this is the only way to reserve this year’s tickets before they go on sale to the general public in June.
PLUS, by donating a PAVER FOR POE by May 31, you will be able to see your paver in the new “Poe Park” walkway at the festival in October this year! Personalize a 4″x8″ paver (includes 3 lines of text) or an 8″ x 8″ paver (6 lines of text) and then visit your very own piece of Poe’s legacy at Poe Fest International in October.
The “Poe Park” walkway is not only a central feature of the festival grounds, but a permanent fixture and lasting tribute to Edgar Allan Poe’s legacy in Baltimore. Visitors from around the world will see this beautiful gift just steps away from Poe’s chamber door. Paver donations support operations and programming at The Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum in Baltimore.
Choose a Pavers for Poe Fest Int’l package:
- 4″ x 8″ personalized, engraved paver
- A seat on the VIP Death Weekend Bus Tour (option to purchase one companion ticket at checkout)
- Long-sleeve 2024 Poe Fest International T-shirt for pickup at the festival
–OR–
- 8″ x 8″ personalized, engraved paver
- Black Cat Ball & 75th Anniversary Diamond Gala Ticket
- Option to include companion ticket at discount rate!
Pavers are guaranteed to be installed in time for the 7th Annual Poe Fest International, October 4 – 6, 2024.
DONATE NOW!
A Pint (and more) for Dead Irish Poets
March 14, 2024 by Casey Grissom
Poe was Irish on his father’s side, his great-grandfather and grandfather having immigrated to Baltimore from County Cavan, Ireland. This month we’re celebrating those Irish roots and poetical tradition with a Pints for Poe: Dead Irish Poets Edition party to kick-off St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Dead Irish poet-ry readings and traditional Irish music are promised, and this event is sponsored by Baltimore’s own RavenBeer.
Poe Programs will continue at Carroll Mansion this season: we’ve partnered with Carroll Museums to open the historic Carroll Mansion & Phoenix Shot Tower for weekend tours from April thru November. Visit The Poe Death Exhibit and new Ghastly Galentine Pop-up Shop at Carroll Mansion starting April 6: each ticket includes the exhibit, a mansion tour and drop-in access to the Shot Tower. More events, parties, readings and chamber concerts TBA.
Springing forward, next month Poe House will open expanded hours once more, Wednesday thru Sunday. We’re also bringing back monthly bus tours of Edgar Allan Poe’s Baltimore. Stops include Poe House, the site of Poe’s Death, and Poe’s grave and monument at Westminster Hall. Add the Death exhibit and mansion/tower tours for only $6.
Read about all of this and more in this month’s newsletter.
Yours in Poe,
Enrica Jang
Director, Poe Baltimore
P.S. Our commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Poe House & Museum in Baltimore continues. Each month we’re sharing facts, points of interest, and hidden history of Poe House, from its savior from demolition in 1940, to the future of the museum as we look ahead to transformation and expansion. This month we delve deeper into the scholarly effort by May Garrettson Evans to research and save Poe House.
More Than Love: A Valentine From Poe House
February 8, 2024 by Poe Baltimore
Last month we saw a huge outpouring of support from you, Poe Nation, at a time it was truly needed. This month’s newsletter is a Valentine to all the ticket-donors and supporters who exceeded our goal with $7K raised for Poe House for Poe’s 215th Birthday. It takes more than love to keep our mission going, and these wonderful people contributed.
Very special thanks to Chris Riehl at Baltimore Rent-A-Tour, Academy Buses, and Westminster Hall, as well as the team at the NSA’s National Cryptologic Museum and Poe’s Magic Theatre for rescheduling for next year!
One event that pivoted to virtal rather than reschedule was our awards ceremony to announce the Winners of the Young Saturday ‘Visiter’ Awards. Congratulations to Naima Gordon and Renee Yates! See interviews with the winners and all the nominees in Poe House’s mobile app.
Finally, the focus in February is on Valentines, but as we’ve seen, love comes in many forms, including friendship and inspiration. To that end, our Ghastly Galentine’s Pop-up Shopping Event is next week; tickets are moving fast. And call for entries has opened for the 2024 Saturday ‘Visiter’ Awards, recognizing a new generation of artists and writers inspired by Poe. If you are moved to support your literary love, be our Valentine this and every month.
Yours in Poe,
Enrica Jang
Director, Poe Baltimore
P.S. Our commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Poe House & Museum in Baltimore continues. Each month we’re sharing facts, points of interest, and hidden history of Poe House, from its savior from demolition in 1940, to the future of the museum as we look ahead to transformation and expansion. This month we explore the spark of idea to create the museum at Amity Street, plus what was happening on the pop culture front in 1949.
Edgar Allan Poe’s Birthday Event Canceled! We Need Your Help, Poe Nation.
January 19, 2024 by Poe Baltimore
Undone by the weather, Poe House’s celebration for Edgar Allan Poe’s 215th Birthday is canceled. On this of all days, help us weather the storm.
Donate to support the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum
Due to inclement weather and University advisory, we are very sad to cancel The Poe Toaster Murder Mystery & Poe Birthday Event. Our disappointment is profound, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our ticket-holders. This was a sold-out event just a day before the weather hit Baltimore. Ticket-holders will be offered refunds and/or the opportunity to donate their tickets. We also appeal to you, Poe Nation, to help us for Poe’s 215th Birthday.
Fellow lovers of literature, poetry, and history rightly imagine that working at an organization devoted to celebrating Edgar Allan Poe’s legacy is a dream position. It is also a weighty responsibility, as Poe Baltimore’s mission is to maintain and interpret the historic landmark and keep Poe’s chamber door open to visitors. Programs can be whimsical and fun, but our greater purpose is to raise support within our community. The dedication of museum funds and countless staff and volunteer hours invested in planning make this cancellation a financial setback.
Cold, Bright January!
January 16, 2024 by Poe Baltimore
Common sentiment to feel a bit beleaguered after the mad season of the holidays and return to work and school. But beleaguered is bread and butter for us, Poe Nation. Plus there’s little time to feel weary as January is jam-packed with events as we close in on celebrations for Edgar Allan Poe’s 215th Birthday!
And finally, we’re very proud to kick off commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Poe House & Museum in Baltimore. Each month we’ll share facts, points of interest, and hidden history of Poe House, from its savior from demolition in 1940, to the future of the museum as we look ahead to transformation and expansion. We begin with a list of great events in literary history from 1949, the first year Poe House was opened to the public–read the newsletter here!
Yours in Poe,
Enrica Jang
Director, Poe Baltimore
P.S. We’re planning a “Ghastly Galentine” event at Carroll Mansion, February 13. Tickets on sale next Friday!
2023 Year-In-Review and our 10th Anniversary Yearbook
December 21, 2023 by Poe Baltimore
Proud-yet-humbled to look back at what turned out to be a transformative year for Poe Baltimore and The Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum. We hope you enjoy this glance back at an extraordinary year, as well as a yearbook commemorating a decade of celebrating Edgar Allan Poe’s legacy in Baltimore & beyond. Thank you, Poe Nation, and we look forward to more in the years to come!
DONATE TO SUPPORT POE BALTIMORE
Happy Thanksgiving, Poe Nation
November 22, 2023 by Poe Baltimore
We at Poe Baltimore wish to thank all of you, Poe Nation, for your support and shared love of poetry, literature, and history. As we continue our 10-year retrospective of programming highlights in the Poe Baltimore yearbook, it’s clear that all we have accomplished–and all that we dream to do–only happens with the continued support of our patrons, donors, volunteers, and friends. However you contribute to our mission, past, present or future, Poe Baltimore is thankful for YOU.
Happy recognition of the 10th anniversary of our organization’s founding will roll into a jubilant year of commemoration, as 2024 marks the 75th Anniversary of the Poe House & Museum in Baltimore. We look forward to sharing some of the hidden history of Poe House, from its savior from demolition in 1949, to the future of the museum as we look ahead to transformation and expansion. And don’t forget, 2024 is also the 175th Anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe’s mysterious death in Baltimore, coinciding with the International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards.
Get a sneak peek at the coming year’s programming when you donate for Giving Tuesday: ALL purchases and donations in the Poe House online gift shop through December will include a QR code link to a special festival preview and ticket opportunity!
Yours in Poe,
Enrica Jang
Director, Poe Baltimore
P.S. Deadline to complete Poe-inspired works for the 2024 Saturday ‘Visiter’ Awards is December 31! Like or subscribe to our Facebook and YouTube channel to be notified for the return of our LIVE Q&A and Info sessions.
THANK YOU for the BIGGEST, BEST POETOBER EVER!
October 31, 2023 by Poe Baltimore
It’s official: 2023 was the absolute biggest and best Poe Fest International on record! Double the vendors, double the events and tours, nearly 3000 attendees estimated over two days, our biggest crowd yet. All proceeds support the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum in Baltimore. On the 10th aniversary of Poe Baltimore’s stewardship of the museum, thank you to everyone who made this month the biggest POE-tober since our founding.
Couldn’t join us this year? You can still see all the Poe things! Official photos from the street festival and The Black Cat Ball have posted, and for Halloween we will stream The Best of Poe Fest, a compilation of the best events and stage moments from festival weekend. The video also includes the WINNERS of the 2023 Saturday Visiter Awards. Happy Halloween, Poe Nation!
Still want more? Check out festival gear in the Poe House Gift Shop, also featuring a first look at commemoratives for the upcoming 75th Anniversary of Poe House!
Yours in Poe,
Enrica Jang
Director, Poe Baltimore
P.S. Deadline for Maryland High School students to enter the YOUNG Saturday Visiter Awards is November 17!
PRESS RELEASE: Major Funding Commitment from Wells Fargo Bank
July 31, 2023 by Poe Baltimore
Baltimore, MD, July 31, 2023 – Today, Poe Baltimore, with the support of La Cite Development, announced that they have received a major investment from Wells Fargo Bank to support the Annual International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards taking place October 7 & 8, 2023. The commitment of $300,000 over a three-year period will provide for the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum’s largest program, keeping the festival a free community event and premier tourist destination for Poe-lovers from all over the world.
“Wells Fargo’s investment to the International Edgar Allan Poe Festival helps to support and maintain an important institution that not only continues Poe’s legacy, it also promotes the significance of education, the arts, and literature. This is a great opportunity for Well Fargo to contribute to the preservation of a literacy heritage for future generations to appreciate and celebrate,” said Wells Fargo Vice President and Senior Social Impact and Sustainability Specialist, Traci N. Horne. “We believe this is an opportunity for Wells Fargo to help bring excitement and legendary entertainment to a city we have supported over the years. Baltimore has been a city where Wells Fargo has been a pillar for many local nonprofit organizations and now the International Edgar Allan Poe Festival can be a part of our legacy that reflects positive impact for our communities.”
The funds for the festival will assist Poe Baltimore in expanding educational components and providing the festival with additional ways in which to partner with the community to promote art, culture, and literacy.
“We are extremely honored to work with the City of Baltimore, Poe Baltimore, and our local partners to help implement our shared vision of making communities stronger and more prosperous,” said Dan Bythewood, La Cité Development’s President. “Equally so, we are thrilled to have worked closely with Wells Fargo in securing this substantial commitment and look forward to continuing our efforts to building a broader, more inclusive neighborhood.”
Enrica Jang, Executive Director for Poe Baltimore, the nonprofit that maintains and interprets The Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum, says this level of funding from Wells Fargo is transformative: “We are extremely grateful for Wells Fargo’s investment in our vision to highlight Baltimore history, gothic literature and art, as well as educational programming.”
The 6th Annual International Edgar Allan Poe Festival is set to take place this Fall, October 7 & 8, 2023. For information about the festival, visit https://poefestinternational.org.
***
Poe Baltimore is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization created to fund, maintain and interpret The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, and to celebrate the legacy of one of Baltimore’s most famous residents. The organization is dedicated to maintaining the museum as a vibrant experience for the thousands of visitors who come from around the world each year, and as part of a broader mission of city-wide events and educational opportunities celebrating Poe’s legacy in Baltimore and beyond.
