Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site

One of America’s most famous and unique writers, Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849), lived in this three-story brick home with his wife, Virginia, and his mother-in-law, Maria Clemm. He was a Philadelphia [2] resident for only a year before moving to New York City in 1843, but this was one of the most productive years in his life.

It was here that he wrote The Black Cat, which describes a basement similar to the one in the home, and three of his most acclaimed masterpieces: The Tell-Tale Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher, and The Gold Bug. This is the only one of the three homes Poe lived in that stands today.

Visitors can tour the rooms, cellar, and exhibits and watch a short film about Poe, his family, and contemporaries. The site is operated by Independence National Historical Park [3].