Edgar Allan Poe Museum - Richmond, Virginia

Literary giant Edgar Allan Poe considered Richmond his hometown. And while he never resided at this location, he was familiar with it (as a teenage member of an honor guard, he escorted the Marquis de Lafayette to a rendezvous here). The old stone and brick buildings provide a perfect atmosphere for an extensive and engrossing display of relics from his life, including his childhood bed, and a mantel from his childhood home, as well as his walking stick, vest, socks and other items, including letters, photos and first editions of his books. There's even a lock of his hair. You can examine the artifacts at your own pace and/or take an informative guided tour. The courtyard, called the Enchanted Garden, was inspired by Poe's writing. It features a shrine constructed of bricks salvaged from the offices of a literary journal that stood a few blocks away, where Poe got his start in journalism. At select times, you can hear a staff member giving a superb reading of Poe's poetry in the shrine.

If you go:
Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 to 5 and Sunday 11 to 5. Be sure to look in the gift shop for the portrait of Poe painted in blood. Once a month except during winter, the museum hosts an Unhappy Hour, with live music and a cash bar.

Phone Numbers:

Edgar Allan Poe Museum
+1 (804) 648-5523