Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum | Baltimore

The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum is a historic house located in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

This structure preserves the former residence of the renowned American writer Edgar Allan Poe.

Visual Characteristics

The house is a two-and-a-half-story brick row house. Its exterior features red brick construction with white trim around the windows and doors. The roof is covered in dark shingles. The architectural style is representative of early 19th-century urban row housing.

Location & Access Logistics

The house is situated at 203 North Amity Street in Baltimore, Maryland. It is approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) northwest of the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Limited street parking is available in the surrounding residential area. Public transportation options include the MTA Maryland bus lines that service Fayette Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, both within a 0.5-mile (0.8 km) walk.

Historical & Ecological Origin

This house was constructed around 1830. Edgar Allan Poe resided here with his aunt, Maria Clemm, and his cousin Virginia Clemm from 1833 to 1835. The building's original purpose was residential housing within a developing urban neighborhood.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can tour the preserved rooms of the house. Exhibits display artifacts and information related to Poe's life and work. The museum offers insights into his time in Baltimore and his literary career. Photography is permitted within the house, but flash is prohibited.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available on-site. Limited shade is provided by the building's structure. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally available in the area. No food vendors are located directly at the museum; dining options are available in nearby commercial districts.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is open year-round, Tuesday through Sunday. The best time of day for interior photography is during daylight hours when natural light enters the windows. Weather is generally mild in spring (April-May) and fall (September-October), offering comfortable conditions for walking to the site.

Facts & Legends

A specific detail often noted is that Poe did not own this house but rented rooms here. It is one of the few surviving residences where Poe lived. A local legend suggests that Poe wrote portions of "The Tell-Tale Heart" during his time in this house, though this is not definitively confirmed by historical records.

Nearby Landmarks

• Carroll Mansion (0.8km Southeast)
• Mount Vernon Place (1.2km East)
• Enoch Pratt Free Library - Central Library (1.3km East)
• Baltimore Basilica (1.4km Southeast)
• Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture (1.6km Southeast)