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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2025 (updated May 6, 2025)
Wells Fargo Commits First Funding for Historic Poe House

Baltimore, MD, May 1, 2025–Poe Baltimore, the non-profit that stewards the historic Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum is proud to announce the Wells Fargo Foundation as inaugural donor of $150,000 for planned expansion and preservation of the historic site. The museum submitted plans for a major expansion at the Baltimore City Urban Design and Architectural Planning Board (UDAAP) in April. The multi-phase, multi-year expansion, proposes up to 17,000 additional square feet for ongoing and special exhibits in multiple galleries, an auditorium, reading room, special collections and exhibits, a literary garden, and expanded space for museum operations and gift shop. Poe Baltimore is completing schematic design for the expansion this Spring and plans to launch a major capital campaign to raise funds for the expansion that is projected to take place in two phases over several years.

“We are proud to support this transformative expansion, which will add 17,000 square feet of new space and enhance the museum’s ability to inspire, educate, and engage the community for years to come. This collaboration reflects our commitment to preserving history, fostering cultural enrichment, and investing in spaces that bring people together,” said Traci Horne, Vice President and Sr. Philanthropy & Community Impact Leader.

The project goals are foremost to preserve Poe House, the historic home of Edgar Allan Poe in Baltimore, as neighboring public housing in Poppleton are developed around the historic site. Collectively, the new spaces will celebrate the Poe House and further cement Edgar Allan Poe’s legacy in Baltimore, which in turn will allow the museum to better serve and engage with the surrounding community and the thousands of Poe fans from around the world who travel to Baltimore to learn about his life and legendary works.

“We are excited to expand our ability to engage residents, neighbors, and visitors from around the world. This once-in-a-generation project will allow us to honor Edgar Allan Poe’s legacy and inspire even more people through dedicated spaces for exhibits, programs, and education. We are deeply grateful to Wells Fargo for sharing this vision.,” said Enrica Jang, Executive Director for Poe Baltimore.

Planning for the expansion began during the “Transform Poe” community study conducted by the Housing Authority of Baltimore City for the redevelopment of the Poe Homes public housing which adjoins the historic site. The report recommended more space for the Poe House and Museum, a plan presented and approved by HUD in 2021. Once the Capital Campaign is completed, new construction will begin around the Poe House and will include multiple gallery spaces, an auditorium/event space and enhanced visitor center. A second round of comment review from UDAAP is complete (rendering is available upon request, updated May 6, 2025.)

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.

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Media Contact
Dorothy Fuchs-Yeager

Office
410-637-8337

Cell
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As the Poe House prepares for a season of transformation, we’re thrilled to partner with Creative Nomads to bring vibrant public art to our historic site. This project will celebrate both the legacy of Edgar Allan Poe and the unique creative identity of our surrounding community.

Creative Nomads, a local arts collective known for fostering community through artistic expression, will lead the creation of large-scale public art installations reflecting the rich literary heritage of the Poe House and honoring the history of the Poe Homes as Baltimore’s first public housing project.

The new creative works will be installed at Poe House/Poe Homes later this Spring. While we await their arrival, visitors can see these works in a special temporary installation this month at Carroll Mansion. Join us in celebrating the power of art to connect our past and future.

Bidding is open! Poe Baltimore and the Baltimore Camera Club’s POE-tography silent auction is now accepting bids. Check out Edgar Allan Poe-themed photography donated by members of the Baltimore Camera Club, the oldest continually-operating camera club in the United States.  Proceeds benefit the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum in Baltimore.

Bidding will close during Poe’s 216th Birthday Party and Poe Toaster Murder Mystery, Saturday, October 18th, at Westminster Hall. You do not have to attend to bid and support Poe House.

From Poe Baltimore staff, volunteers, and Board of Directors, we wish you a most poetical holiday season! Click here to see some of the latest from Poe Baltimore.  And for those who might join us in Baltimore next month, or if you’re looking for a last-minute gift for your favorite Poe fan, score tickets for a special Poe Birthday event next month!

Once upon a Thanksgiving dreary, we’re filled with gratitude (not weary!) for you, Poe Nation, our beloved supporters, friends, and fans who keep the spirit of Edgar Allan Poe alive in Baltimore and beyond.

Poe House will be closed for Thanksgiving and Black Friday, but will be open Saturday and Sunday for regular tours. This is also the final weekend to visit the Phoenix Shot Tower before it closes with a clang for the season–while there, be sure to stop in to see The Death Exhibit and Raven Room at historic Carroll Mansion. Those who Poe also know to mark your Poe House calendars for some delightfully Poe-esque celebrations for Poe’s birthday in January: tickets are on sale now for our infamous Poe bus tours and  macabre-yet-merry birthday bash to toast Poe’s 216th year at Westminster Hall. Finally, don’t forget that call for entries for the 2025 Saturday ‘Visiter’ Awards will open January 19th–read our newsletter to see the 2024 winners!

This season, we humbly ask you to consider an end-of-year gift to Poe House. Your contributions sustain our work, allowing us to preserve this hallowed site and continue sharing Poe’s hauntingly beautiful legacy. Your donations are critical as the next chapter for Poe House (including expansion!) is already being written.

Enrica Jang
Director, Poe Baltimore

It feels INSANE to say we are fewer than 60 days away from the 2024 International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards. This year is particularly special as we roll out the crimson carpet for The Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum’s 75th Anniversary coinciding with the 175th anniversary of Poe’s death in Baltimore.

Programming for this FREE community event does not happen without support from our sponsors. For a second year, Wells Fargo Foundation has committed $100,000 to grow festival programming and to celebrate Poe’s legacy here in Baltimore and beyond. They join La Cite Development, RavenBeer, Maryland Public Television, Hippodrome Foundation, Poe’s Magic Theatre and over 40 organizations contributing funds and programming for this event. All proceeds benefit The Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum. Poe Baltimore will share plans for expansion of the museum with attendees at our Diamond Anniversary events this October.

Read this month’s newsletter for updates on festival and museum program announcements including The Poe Museum (Richmond), the NSA’s National Cryptologic Museum, and year two of the Costume POErade. And congratulations to all of the Official Nominees for the 2024 Saturday ‘Visiter’ Awards, presented by Poe Baltimore, recognizing a new generation of artists and writers inspired by the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe. Winners will be announced festival weekend at The Black Cat Ball, the official party of Poe Fest International.

Yours in Poe,
Enrica Jang
Director, Poe Baltimore

P.S. Our year-long 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, meet the first tour guides at Poe House!