The Edgar Allan Poe Museum is situated in Richmond, Virginia, and is dedicated to the famous American writer Edgar Allan Poe. Poe, however, never lived in this building but it commemorates the time he lived in Richmond. This museum, in its original form, was built by Jacob Ege.
The museum is significant because it houses one of the world's largest collections of his letters, original manuscripts, first editions, personal effects and memorabilia. It also gives visitors an overview of Richmond in the early 19th century where Poe lived and worked on his books.
In 1922, the Old Stone House, now the museum, was opened and contains all his detective fiction novels, science fiction, horror stories and lyric poems. Poe or better known as 'America's Shakespeare,' mastered the art of telling short stories and attracted children and adults to his writings for the past 150 years or more.
This museum comprises four buildings which house exhibits pertaining to different parts of Poe's life and literary legacy. For instance, the parlor of the Old Stone House now displays the furniture of all the homes in which Poe and his sister Rosalie lived. And in the gallery of the house are the author's bed and bedroom furnishings of his boyhood days.
In the Elizabeth Arnold Poe Memorial Building you will find many initial editions of Poe's literary works such as his very popular The Raven (1845), among others. The Exhibits Building displays temporary exhibits of Poe's position in modern and popular culture.