"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." - Walt Disney

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Poe Museum

Nicknamed “America’s Shakespeare,” Edgar Allan Poe wrote detective stories, science fiction, horror stories and poetry. He is one of my favorite authors and I recommend his Complete Works if you’ve never read them.

One place on my “must visit” list is the Poe Museum: http://www.poemuseum.org/index.php The museum is located only a few blocks from his childhood home and this website is an excellent source of information for anyone interested in Poe. Aside from information and pictures about the museum (including documents signed by Poe and some of his furniture) there is a section on Poe’s Life and one on his works.
Teachers can request a free educator’s packet. Students can play games such as “Solve the Mystery of Poe’s Death”, “Fact or Fiction”, “Celebrate Poe’s 200th Birthday” or enter the “Young Writer’s Contest”.  You can watch “Tell-Tale Heart” and of course, there is a gift shop.
If you’ve ever written or enjoyed a love poem, horror movie or a murder mystery then you understand the mass appeal of Poe and why I want to visit this museum. He is still inspiring culture 160 year after his death.

27 comments:

Donna K. Weaver said...

I've never heard of this place. Thanks for letting us know!

Amy Wood said...

It does sound like a cool place to visit. I've enjoyed reading his work as well! Great pick for P!

Unknown said...

I would love to visit this place!

Manzanita said...

I enjoyed your post. I read Poe when I was younger but haven't lately.
Have a Happy P Day
Manzanita
Wanna buy a duck

Luana Krause said...

I'm a huge Poe fan. His stories are amazing. I remember reading Tell Tale Heart in junior high...we also so the film with Vincent Price. Very creepy.

Unknown said...

I love Poe, thank you for sharing this!

Allison said...

Ooh I love Poe! A distant cousin of his was traveling with an exhibit a few years back, and I had a chance to see him, but I'd love to go to the museum!

- allison writes

shelly said...

You've got Poe-Moe Jo today, too. Well, I didn't write about him on my blog. But others have.

Bish Denham said...

Yep, this would be a place I'd like to visit. He was an amazing writer.

Lorena G. Sims said...

That's sounds interesting. I would love to come visit that place but I'm too far away :( I can watch mystery movies but not much horror movies.

Cindy said...

Ah .. Poe.. My favorite writer in high school and early college :)

Julie Flanders said...

I love Poe, and I didn't know about this museum. It's going on my list too, I'd love to visit there. Thanks for sharing! :)

lesleylsmith said...

Very interesting, Sylvia! I especially like the info for educators!
Cheers

the writing pad said...

Thanks for the Poe post - been meaning to re-read him, and this was the prompt I needed! Sadly, I'm too far away to vist the museum, but it sounds like a fitting tribute :-)

Unknown said...

"Once upon a midnight dreary..." He wrote so much but I always come back to the Raven. How I'd love to visit this museum. One day I will :)

Brigitte said...

Mr. Poe had good taste in exterior design. :p Very cute!

Unknown said...

Sylvia, do pop over to my blog and claim your award, and don't bother about doing the rules if you'd rather not, very time consuming.

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Love him! He is on my list of "favorite authors" on my blog. I first read one of his stories when I was in middle school, and that's all it took. I was hooked!

Kendal said...

I enjoyed your post! That looks like a great place to visit. I love those kinds of museums.

anthony stemke said...

nice post; always liked poe too.

Melissa Sarno said...

I visited this museum when I was a little kid with my parents. I just remember hearing a lot about the raven on the tour. And being totally freaked out by the story of someone being bricked up inside a wall. Then when I read these Poe stories later in life, I felt like I was way cool for having been to his museum :-)

Robin said...

What a great post. I never knew about the Poe Museum. Edgar Allen Poe was inspirational to my youngest son while he was in high school. My son never read much and didn't like English class or literature, except for Poe. That he would read and even write about. I think Poe is inspirational and timeless. Going to go check out the website you mentioned. Thanks for the info.

Sharon Reece said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and for your comment. I never knew there was a Poe Museum. Sounds interesting.

Sharon
http://grandmaisawriter.blogspot.com

Mary Aalgaard said...

Ooo. I want to go to the Poe museum, too! I didn't know it had interactive stuff. That's great. I'm putting it on my list. (Thanks for stopping by my blog, glad to meet you!)

Mary Aalgaard said...

I just became follower 300! ding ding ding - I'm hearing bells!

Halli Gomez said...

Wonderful! And pretty close to me since I'm in NC.
Strange, but my husband and I have always visited a dead famous person's house every time we take a major vacation. This one seems perfect!

rcexam2007 said...

Hi - Thanks for introducing me to the Poe museum site. Very interesting! Thanks, too, for visiting me at "R.C.'s Twin Cities Beat" (rcjohnsonwriter.com). The challenge has been a real challenge for me, but I'm on target, and am listing all of the titles on my Very Latest Buzz page. Happy Easter! rcj