• A rendering of the exterior façade facing Amity Street with a nod to a "shadow house" that once stood next door to the Poe House and was owned by the Poe family before it was demolished.
  • Wells Fargo Logo

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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