Three Cities, Three Stories: Poe Baltimore Shares New Vision Abroad
This summer, Poe Baltimore embarks on a milestone journey to honor the legacy of Edgar Allan Poe, explore the roots of his extraordinary story, and share what lies ahead for the museum that bears his name. Executive Director Enrica Jang will represent the organization during a series of literary and historical engagements in Paris, Ayrshire (Scotland), and London, marking the first time Poe Baltimore’s new museum designs will be introduced abroad.
From Revolutionary history to literary legacy, this journey reveals the global threads woven into Poe’s life story.
1. Paris, France | June 25
Jang will participate in the annual flag replacement ceremony at the grave of the Marquis de Lafayette, representing Poe Baltimore and the American Friends of Lafayette. Held at Picpus Cemetery in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Paris, the ceremony honors Lafayette’s critical role in the American Revolution—and his ties to Poe’s family. Poe Baltimore’s related exhibit, “Poe, Revolution, and the Marquis de Lafayette,” is on view now at Carroll Mansion in Baltimore.
2. Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland | June 26
In Scotland, Jang will visit sites connected to Poe’s foster family, the Allans. Irvine tradition holds that young Edgar received some of his earliest reading lessons by tracing names and epitaphs on gravestones. This poetic origin story bridges Poe’s formative years with the themes that would later define his work. On Thursday, June 26, Enrica will share a talk about the enduring mystery of Edgar Allan Poe’s death at “Poe, a Pie and Prosecco,” event hosted by Scottish Poe group, POEtic Justice Productions, at the Harbour Arts Center in Irvine. The event will also feature Scottish author, Allan Martin. Tickets available!
3. Paris, France | July 3
Poe Baltimore will present at the International Poe Conference, alongside Poe scholars and literary professionals from around the world, to share the newest design concepts for the expanded Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum. The Poe House Director will be joined by Poe Baltimore Board member, Professor Amy Armiento, and David Gaylin, President of the Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore. The conference is hosted by the Poe Studies Association, an International association of Poe and literary scholars. The conference presentation is made possible through a generous grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.
4. London, England | July 5
The final stop brings Poe Baltimore to the Charles Dickens Museum, where Jang will speak on the transatlantic relationship between Dickens and Poe. Though their connection was brief, the literary kinship between these two authors reveals a shared fascination with serialization, satire, and the macabre. For museum info visit the Dickens Museum website.
Follow the Journey
This trip represents a turning point for Poe Baltimore, connecting past and future, local and global. For updates, follow along at poeinbaltimore.org and on social media @PoeBaltimore.
The 2020 International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards is streaming LIVE the weekend of October 3 & 4th, commemorating the 171st anniversary of Poe’s Death in Baltimore. Watch for FREE on Facebook & YouTube Live.
Streaming program for Saturday & Sunday has posted! A coffin-building workshop. A POE-vid mask tutorial. A Tell-Tale Heart Interactive mock trial. Art demos, theatrical performances, secret codes, even a special Sunday Brunch with Edgar Allan Poe’s mother (the woman is dead, but that shouldn’t spoil brunch.) See our list of events right here. More details added as we get closer to DEATH WEEKEND.
Add-on experiences also available, including the Poe in Film & Fashion Virtual Exhibit, NEW this year in addition to Virtual Tours of the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum, and the Death Weekend Poe Places Virtual Tour of Poe’s Baltimore.
Click here to read about all of our events–you don’t want to miss out on any(Poe)thing!
Click to read our latest newsletter!
Our crowd estimate came in at nearly 2000 people who attended the inaugural International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards and made our event a resounding success! We’ve posted photos at PoeBaltimore.org and even more from the Poe Funeral re-enactment and The Black Cat Ball on Facebook, so be sure to take a peek. Also included are pictures from the sold-out Halloween Encore at The Carroll Mansion!
Even more is planned at Poe House as Fall transitions to Winter. Our end-of-year house exhibits will feature Mourning Words, a haunting collection of images from Poe’s grave at Westminster Burial Ground by featured artist, Crystal Micriotti. While you’re here, view the new and updated exhibit cards throughout the museum and pick up the 2019 Poe House calendar and more gifts from Poe House and Poe Fest Int’l in the gift shop! Click here to learn about all the happenings at Poe House!
Yours in Poe,
Enrica Jang
Director, Poe Baltimore
2019 Poe House Calendars are here! Pick them up at Poe House, or shop online.
The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum is currently closed while the house undergoes some much-needed preservation work. The house will reopen on April 5, 2018.
Don’t Despair! If you are wondering what to do while the house is closed, you have options. In addition to visiting Poe’s graves, explore our two pop-up exhibitions located at Carroll Mansion and the Inner Harbor’s Visitors Center.
The Caroll Mansion Museum at 800 E. Lombard Street is less than one city block from the site where an insensate and ill Edgar Allan Poe was discovered in the street just four days before his death in 1849. The special Poe pop-up exhibit features photos and objects from The Edgar Allan Poe House, and is included with your $5 museum admission to Carroll Mansion. The museum is open to visitors every Saturday and Sunday, from 11AM to 4PM.
While you’re downtown, stop into the Inner Harbor Visitor Center at 400 Light Street to see a pop-up exhibit featuring details about Poe’s life and writing in Baltimore. The exhibit is FREE, and guests can also pick up a copy of the Poe House calendar (while supplies last!) The center is open to visitors every Tuesday through Sunday.
Need more Poe exposure? You can also visit the various “Poe Places” located throughout Baltimore City. For more details, click on this link.
We look forward to welcoming our beloved Poe House visitors in April!
