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Acolyte, v. 2, issue 1, whole no. 5, Fall 1943
Page 7
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was in Poe's time; three articles--a rocking-chair, a bedstead, and a mirror--being actually the ones he owned and used. Various relics of Poe are present, and there is a notable collection of different editions of his works. Poe died in Baltimore October 7, 1849, and two days later was buried among his relatives there in a corner of Westminster Presbyterian Churchyard. A stone prepared by a cousin was accidentally destroyed before being set in place; so that for 25 years the poet's grave remained unmarked. In November 1875, a marble monument was placed beside the grave by admirers admires; this forming the first of Poe's public shrines. Today the churchyard is in a decaying section, but within its walls dignity still reigns. The grave is adorned with green vines, and those who come to pay tribute feel that this last of the weary, wayworn wanderer's many homes is not in the least inappropriate. In Richmond, which he always regarded as his real home, Poe's memory is perpetuated through a shrine unconnected with any actual dwelling of his, though not far from where his mother died. The nucleus of this shrine is a venerable stone house on Main Street near 19th, undoubtedly the oldest building in Richmond. Just east of it is a fire-proof structure in the ancient manner, having built into it two architectural features--the staircase and the mantel of Poe's room--from the old Allan home at 14th Street and Tobacco Alley. Behind the house is an exquisite garden with a loggia built of bricks from the demolished magazine office where Poe worked. The shrine as a whole contains one of the best Poe collections in existence. The newly opened Philadelphia house is unique in being the only Poe dwelling on its original site to become a memorial museum. It is a pleasant brick cottage of three stories in the rear of a larger house at 530 North Seventh Street; evidently built early in the 19th century and perhaps originally forming servants' quarters. Around it is a small and tasteful garden, now destroyed as in Poe's time except that a great pear tree which he loved is missing. The front yard opens on an alley extending in from Seventh Street, with the dreary width of Spring Garden just beyond. It is hard to visualize the secluded, almost rustic neighborhood that the poet knew. Once in the garden or house, however, we step out of the present. The cottage has lasted well, and no structural alterations have ever been made. The small-paned windows, harmonious mantels, and paneled doors all bespeak the quiet grace of Georgian architecture. There are only two rooms to a floor, and all are furnished just as during Poe's tenancy; though only a desk and chair are actual Poe relics. Eastward on the ground floor is the parlour with its attractive fireplace, piano-forte, sofa, and book-closet. On the second floor is Poe's bedroom, with a neat black slate mantel; while across the hall is a smaller study. Here can be found his desk, with appropriate books of the period along the top. On the low-ceiled third floor are the rooms of Poe's wife and aunt, with modest fireplaces and small casement windows. Everything is neatly kept--curtains, flowers, plants, pictures, china, and linen--just as it was in Poe's time. In the large adjoining house, which has a connecting door, is a notable Poe collection. Here are copies of magazines containing the first appearance of most of the tales and poems, and other associative items too numerous to record. Of the Poe houses still standing, none comes to life more vividly as a typical home than this unpretentious cottage. Though heretofore surprisingly little known, this shrine is likely to become a leading place of pilgrimage for those who revere genius and admire one of the greatest and unhappiest of its exemplars. --7--
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was in Poe's time; three articles--a rocking-chair, a bedstead, and a mirror--being actually the ones he owned and used. Various relics of Poe are present, and there is a notable collection of different editions of his works. Poe died in Baltimore October 7, 1849, and two days later was buried among his relatives there in a corner of Westminster Presbyterian Churchyard. A stone prepared by a cousin was accidentally destroyed before being set in place; so that for 25 years the poet's grave remained unmarked. In November 1875, a marble monument was placed beside the grave by admirers admires; this forming the first of Poe's public shrines. Today the churchyard is in a decaying section, but within its walls dignity still reigns. The grave is adorned with green vines, and those who come to pay tribute feel that this last of the weary, wayworn wanderer's many homes is not in the least inappropriate. In Richmond, which he always regarded as his real home, Poe's memory is perpetuated through a shrine unconnected with any actual dwelling of his, though not far from where his mother died. The nucleus of this shrine is a venerable stone house on Main Street near 19th, undoubtedly the oldest building in Richmond. Just east of it is a fire-proof structure in the ancient manner, having built into it two architectural features--the staircase and the mantel of Poe's room--from the old Allan home at 14th Street and Tobacco Alley. Behind the house is an exquisite garden with a loggia built of bricks from the demolished magazine office where Poe worked. The shrine as a whole contains one of the best Poe collections in existence. The newly opened Philadelphia house is unique in being the only Poe dwelling on its original site to become a memorial museum. It is a pleasant brick cottage of three stories in the rear of a larger house at 530 North Seventh Street; evidently built early in the 19th century and perhaps originally forming servants' quarters. Around it is a small and tasteful garden, now destroyed as in Poe's time except that a great pear tree which he loved is missing. The front yard opens on an alley extending in from Seventh Street, with the dreary width of Spring Garden just beyond. It is hard to visualize the secluded, almost rustic neighborhood that the poet knew. Once in the garden or house, however, we step out of the present. The cottage has lasted well, and no structural alterations have ever been made. The small-paned windows, harmonious mantels, and paneled doors all bespeak the quiet grace of Georgian architecture. There are only two rooms to a floor, and all are furnished just as during Poe's tenancy; though only a desk and chair are actual Poe relics. Eastward on the ground floor is the parlour with its attractive fireplace, piano-forte, sofa, and book-closet. On the second floor is Poe's bedroom, with a neat black slate mantel; while across the hall is a smaller study. Here can be found his desk, with appropriate books of the period along the top. On the low-ceiled third floor are the rooms of Poe's wife and aunt, with modest fireplaces and small casement windows. Everything is neatly kept--curtains, flowers, plants, pictures, china, and linen--just as it was in Poe's time. In the large adjoining house, which has a connecting door, is a notable Poe collection. Here are copies of magazines containing the first appearance of most of the tales and poems, and other associative items too numerous to record. Of the Poe houses still standing, none comes to life more vividly as a typical home than this unpretentious cottage. Though heretofore surprisingly little known, this shrine is likely to become a leading place of pilgrimage for those who revere genius and admire one of the greatest and unhappiest of its exemplars. --7--
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