“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.” — Edgar Allan Poe

Frequently Asked Questions

Find out more about the thought and care that has gone into the preservation and expansion of the Poe House & Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.
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The History of Poe House and the Poe Homes

The Edgar Allan Poe House was originally part of a duplex built in 1830. 

In 1940, the Poe Homes were constructed as Baltimore’s first public housing project, one of the first five in the city built for Black families during segregation. For over 80 years, Poe House has existed within the footprint of this historic housing project. 

When the Housing Authority of Baltimore City announced the redevelopment of the Poe Homes, it became critical to preserve what remained of the Poe House while also working within the Housing Authority’s broader plan. The total number of public housing units on the footprint is mandated to return, with more units being introduced. However, this also created an opportunity to expand the museum beyond its original 620 square feet, providing additional space for exhibits, programming, and visitor engagement.

Overview

Overview

Every effort is being made to preserve every part of the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum and keep the historic site as it is, and we are working with the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, Baltimore City, and Maryland Historical Trust during schematic design to this end. Careful consideration has gone into the approach and capacity as part of our design process.

For a full history of the planning process, visit the Transform Poe website.

Will the Poe House be demolished or changed?

No. In fact, our foremost goal is to preserve Poe’s home in Baltimore while allowing for thoughtful expansion that protects its integrity.

Why was this expansion necessary?

When the Housing Authority of Baltimore City announced the redevelopment of the Poe Homes, it became critical to preserve what remained of the Poe House. The House itself is a historical site and cannot be altered without compromising that status. Instead, Poe Baltimore saw an opportunity to preserve the House while creating an expanded museum and community space as part of the new redevelopment. By working with the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, we were able to determine what additional space could be allocated to the museum while ensuring the necessary number of public housing units remained.

How big is the plan, and how did you make this decision?

The site size was determined through consultation with the Housing Authority of Baltimore City and the architects to balance community needs, preservation efforts, and available space. Schematic design of the building is still ongoing, with 18,000-square-feet of adapted and new space planned for the museum, plus a literary garden.

Even so, the expanded museum will remain within a defined footprint that does not take away from public housing redevelopment. While the exact final square footage of the new buildings is still being determined, the new museum will be significantly larger than the current 620-square-foot Poe House.

Was community engagement part of this project plan?

Poe Baltimore was an active participant in community meetings about the redevelopment of the Poe Homes, during and after the Transform Poe neighborhood planning report submitted to and approved by HUD. We attended Poppleton community meetings and Transform Poe planning sessions as a stakeholder to advocate for the preservation of Poe House when it became clear that redevelopment would occur around the historic site.

Additionally, we worked closely with the Housing Authority of Baltimore City and hired the same consultant who led the Transform Poe planning sessions to assist in aligning our museum expansion with the community’s desires and future neighborhood amenities. Davin Hong wrote the Transform Poe plan, then later wrote our feasibility study; he is now the architect on this project. The engineers and planners for the museum expansion are also working with the Housing Authority on the greater Transform Poe project plan. Our team is making every effort to integrate the museum expansion into the broader redevelopment plan in ways that benefit both visitors and residents.

As part of our engagement, the Housing Authority of Baltimore City participated in the 2nd Annual International Edgar Allan Poe Festival and Awards, where they gathered feedback from attendees and neighbors on how they envisioned the future of the museum. Community feedback remains a key consideration as we continue planning this expansion.

Who is the architect?

The lead architect for the project is Davin Hong of re:vital design (formerly Living Design Lab). Davin was also the author of the Transform Poe neighborhood plan and spent years collaborating with community members to craft the plan as it was presented to HUD. His several years’ experience working with community stakeholders and the housing authority, and his expertise in sustainable architecture, informs every aspect of the expansion.

Where can I find more information about the Transform Poe neighborhood plan?

The Transform Poe neighborhood plan is a public-facing document available through the Housing Authority of Baltimore City’s website. This plan initially outlined how the Edgar Allan Poe House could be preserved and expanded to best serve the community.

Expansion

Expansion

Poe Baltimore began planning the design phase of this project upon completing a feasibility study in 2021. Since then, we have worked closely with the Housing Authority of Baltimore City and community stakeholders to align our plans with the larger redevelopment of the Poe Homes neighborhood.

How much will this project cost, and what are the sources of funds?

The total cost of the expansion is still to be determined, as construction costs and materials fluctuate. Poe Baltimore has raised over $365,000 through grants and corporate sponsorships for the design phase. A capital campaign for construction is scheduled to launch in Q3 of 2025 to secure funding for construction. Even before the capital campaign launches, continued support through donations to Poe House are essential to preserving Poe House and continuing this project.

Why is the site configured this way?

The site configuration was decided by the Housing Authority of Baltimore City based on the need to retain public housing while also allowing space for museum expansion. 

Poe Baltimore worked closely with architects and engineers to make the best possible use of the allocated footprint without interfering with the number of subsidized units required for the redevelopment.

What are the phases or components of the expansion?

  • Phase One – Renovation of Existing Units: This phase will involve the adaptive reuse of the attached units, preserving their original 1940s look while making them fully accessible. The expanded wing will house museum operations, exhibits, and museum gift shop, with the floor level adjusted for improved accessibility. A Poe Homes history exhibit will be a permanent part of the final design. 
  • Phase Two – New Museum Construction: A newly constructed museum addition will include an auditorium, gallery spaces, a courtyard, and a garden. The design is intentional about ensuring that the Poe House remains a distinct historical landmark, avoiding the creation of a false historical narrative.

More phases may be introduced depending on funding availability and community needs.

How will the expansion improve accessibility?

Although the historic Poe House (built in 1833) may not be ADA-accessible due to its original structure, the newly expanded museum will incorporate modern accessibility features to ensure inclusivity for all visitors: 

  • Ramps, elevators, and accessible pathways 
  • Sensory-friendly experiences 
  • An inclusive design approach aligning with modern museum principles. 
  • Alternatives such as virtual tours, video walkthroughs, and detailed replicas will be provided for visitors unable to physically access the historic house.

Vision

Vision

Our vision for this project reflects a careful balance between historical preservation and future-forward design, ensuring that Poe’s legacy continues to inspire and educate visitors. The design of the expanded museum is guided by the need to preserve the historic Poe House while creating functional, sustainable, and accessible spaces for visitors. 

Beyond a bigger size, what is your mission and goal for this project?

  • Maintain the distinct identity of the original Poe House, ensuring that any new additions do not create a false historical narrative.
  • Provide modern museum amenities while respecting the historical context of the Poe Homes and the broader community redevelopment.
  • Enhance visitor engagement by incorporating immersive experiences inspired by Poe’s literary works, rather than simply replicating Gothic aesthetics.
  • Maximize the available space efficiently, balancing museum expansion with community needs and the requirements of the Housing Authority’s redevelopment plan.
  • Ensuring that the museum serves a diverse audience with inclusive design principles that integrate sustainability and accessibility.

What kind of events and spaces will the expanded museum offer?

While the site will not be large enough to host academic conferences, it will support:

  • Literary events, theatrical performances, and film screenings
  • Writing workshops and smaller interactive programs
  • Community gatherings and historical exhibitions
  • The continuation and expansion of the International Edgar Allan Poe Festival and Awards

In addition, the expanded museum will include new indoor and outdoor spaces, including:

  • An auditorium for lectures, performances, and educational programs
  • A gallery space dedicated to Poe’s literary legacy and impact.
  • A courtyard and garden for outdoor events and community use
  • An exhibit on the history of the Poe Homes and their connection to the museum

How will this museum be different from other Poe museums in Richmond, Philadelphia, and the Bronx?

Baltimore is a uniquely important location in Poe’s biography—this is where he began his professional writing career at Amity Street. While there are other Poe sites on the East Coast, some within two to three hours of Baltimore, Poe Baltimore is developing an interpretive plan to set the museum apart by:

  • Augmenting and complementing existing Poe museums rather than duplicating their narratives
  • Giving unique ways for visitors to engage with Poe’s writing and legacy
  • Creating immersive experiences that explore his influence on modern storytelling.

Why doesn’t the Poe House expansion design look more historic or Gothic? Why is the design so modern?

The expansion design is intended to complement the historic Poe House while creating a functional and accessible space for exhibitions, events, and educational programming. The preference was to avoid making the Poe House look like a funhouse or haunted house while still drawing strong inspiration from Poe’s work.

Rather than relying on exaggerated Gothic elements, the design integrates subtle references to Poe’s literary themes throughout. Fans will find symbolic allusions to his stories in the architecture, but it is the programming, storytelling, and the people inside the museum that will bring it to life.

Timeline of the Poe House & Museum

1830-1833

The house is built and Edgar Allan Poe resides here between 1833-1835.

1937

Edgar Allan Poe Homes project announced; house scheduled to be demolished.

1938

Poe Society of Baltimore convinces the Housing Authority to preserve the Poe House.

1939

 Historic Poe House cut in half; Poe Homes are built.

1940

Poe Homes completed; first families move into the housing project.

1949

Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum opened by the Poe Society of Baltimore.

1972

Edgar Allan Poe House established as a National Historic Landmark.

2013

Poe Baltimore Inc. nonprofit organization formed to steward the historic Poe House.

2017-2019

Transform Poe Choice Neighborhood study commences with plan to redevelop and rebuild the Poe Homes; community meetings conducted by the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC); Poe Baltimore participates.

2019

HABC participates at the International Edgar Allan Poe Festival, soliciting community commentary on future plans at the historic site.

2020

Poe House established as Maryland’s first United for Libraries’ Literary Landmark.

2021

Poe Baltimore completes a feasibility study on planned expansion and new construction around the historic Poe House site.

re:vital design architect selected; Maryland Historic Trust/Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Capital Grant for Design Phase I.

2025

Poe Baltimore completes schematic design with re:vital design architects.

Planned demolition of the Edgar Allan Poe Homes.

In The News

Edgar Allan Poe museum plans expansion in West Baltimore

Baltimore Business Journal

Read the Story

To date, we have raised $345,000 for design and site planning through grants and donations. With your continued support, we can write a thrilling next chapter for the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum in Baltimore.

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