Edgar Allan Pоe National Historic Site

Visiting the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site on his birthday felt like a pilgrimage to the mind of one of literature’s greatest dark geniuses. The site radiates a somber charm that perfectly fits Poe’s legacy, offering an intimate glimpse into the life and surroundings that shaped his haunting works. Unfortunately, my visit was bittersweet as the site was under construction. While it was still moving to stand where Poe once lived and penned some of his most iconic tales, the scaffolding and blocked-off areas dulled the experience. It felt as though I was catching a glimpse of a masterpiece through a fogged window—intriguing, but incomplete. Despite this, being there on Poe’s birthday gave the visit a special significance. The weight of his legacy was palpable, even in the midst of repairs. It was a reminder that Poe’s genius endures beyond any physical space, though I couldn’t help but wish for the full, immersive experience the site promises when it’s not under construction. If you’re a Poe fan, it’s still worth visiting, but I’d recommend waiting until the restoration is complete to truly absorb the eerie magic of the site. Until then, I’ll dream of returning when the halls are ready to tell their full story.

🏚️ Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site – Philadelphia, PA Boomsauce Score: BS +++ (Amazing location! now that's boomsauce!) Even mid-renovation, this place hits different. Stepping into Poe’s former home is like walking through the pages of Gothic literature. The art installations and that surreal raven sculpture outside? Straight out of a dream—or a fevered poem. It’s eerie, poetic, and deeply moving. Though the house is currently closed for a utilities improvement project, you can still feel the weight of history pressing through the walls. Poe lived here during one of his most prolific periods, penning classics like The Black Cat and The Tell-Tale Heart. The cellar even resembles the one described in The Black Cat, adding a deliciously creepy layer to the visit. If you’re in Philly, this is a must-visit. It’s not just a museum—it’s a tribute to the tortured brilliance of one of America’s greatest literary minds. And when renovations wrap, it’ll be even more hauntingly beautiful. --- 🔥 Boomsauce Scale | Rating | Meaning | |---------|----------------------------------| | B | basura (trash) | | BS | basic (come on! Try harder) | | BS + | better (Yo! That's better) | | BS ++ | best (alright! Alright! Alrightttt!) | | BS +++ | Amazing location! now that's boomsauce! |

I passed by today to just get some photos of the outside of the museum. Unfortunately, it is still closed due to COVID-19. Hopefully the next time I am in the area this place will be back open to visitors and I will be able to see inside one of the final homes of Edgar Allan Poe and give an even more positive review. Update 5/25/2024 I was finally able to see the inside of this museum this past weekend. There is no entrance fee, and it is a self guided tour. Upon request, you can ask to see a little video about Mr. Poe. There really isn't much to see, with the exception of some information after entering the house and two of the rooms that were furnished, so you can be in and out within a half hour. I liked that the house is preserved as-is, and it also includes a part of the neighbors residence. There are three floors and a cellar. The staircases are quite tight, and the cellar is a bit low. The outside grounds are well maintained and clean. The staff is friendly and very welcoming. They have a little gift shop as soon as you walk in with just a few items for purchase. I personally enjoyed visiting one of the last homes, Mr. Poe lived in, and I think it is worth checking out.

Interesting exhibition on Poe and his years in this house. The museum has a very relaxed atmosphere and you are free to explore at your own pace. Very friendly staff and good information signs and posters gave a good overview of Poe’s life and work. The short film (8 minutes) was well worth seeing. I recommend this museum even to people who are not particularly familiar with Poe as it is also a good image of life at that time (1840’s)

Never in a million years would I have thought I’d see Edgar Allan Poe’s cellar. Such a treat! Very helpful staff and a quaint little home attached to the neighbor’s bigger house. What a wonderful treasure. I wish the national park service got more funding to keep things up better but they do a great job with what they have. The back porch and garden are wonderful. Love this experience! A must do in Philly!!

I enjoyed my visit to the Edgar Allan Poe National Historical Site. The exhibits on display were very interesting and informative. The self-guided tour of the house was very good. The docent on-site also provided interesting information about Poe's life, as well.

It was interesting to see the exterior of the house, but, both fortunately and unfortunately (for us), the interior was closed for renovation/repair. The raven statue was impressive, and the mural, just down the street, was also nice to see. I'll have to return when the work is finished.

Part of Independence Historical Park, but further away from the central area. There's an 8-minute video that goes over Edgar Allen Poe's life. There's also a self-guided tour of the 3-story house, cellar, and garden. It's free to visit, and kids can earn a Jr. Ranger badge by completing the scavenger hunt. It will take less than an hour to tour the house and do the scavenger hunt.

Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site - Philadelphia, PA Boomsauce Score: BS +++ (Amazing location! now that's boomsauce!) Even mid-renovation, this place hits different. Stepping into Poe's former home is like walking through the pages of Gothic literature. The art installations and that surreal raven sculpture outside? Straight out of a dream--or a fevered poem. It's eerie, poetic, and deeply moving. Though the house is currently closed for a utilities improvement project, you can still feel the weight of history pressing through the walls. Poe lived here during one of his most prolific periods, penning classics like The Black Cat and The Tell-Tale Heart. The cellar even resembles the one described in The Black Cat, adding a deliciously creepy layer to the visit. If you're in Philly, this is a must-visit. It's not just a museum--it's a tribute to the tortured brilliance of one of America's greatest literary minds. And when renovations wrap, it'll be even more hauntingly beautiful. --- Boomsauce Scale | Rating | Meaning |---------|----------------------------------| | B | basura (trash) | | BS | basic (come on! Try harder) | | BS + | better (Yo! That's better) | | BS ++ | best (alright! Alright! Alrightttt!) | | BS +++ | Amazing location! now that's boomsauce! |

Small, easy, short touristy trip. Another great free thing to do in the city when you have friends or family from out of town. I live in Nolibs, so this is an easy walk from my house. Parking is plentiful nearby, too!

Mainly came here to sight see and check out Edgar Allan Poes house before I head back home. I didn't go inside but wanted to be on a casual stroll. Very well maintained home. Not too many people around besides the locals so you can get great pictures. Great place for fans of his because this is one of the last surviving structures connected to him. Great for history buffs too. Great place to connect with history!

We stumbled up on this museum by accident it is quite the gem. The house is a National Historic Landmark and it is a nice spot to go to. There is no fee to enter but still an interesting place to learn about one of America's great authors. The house is not adorned with time period pieces but they do provide a video about the life and times of Edgar Allen Poe which is nice. We enjoyed it.

I'm not a Poe expert (more of a Lovecraft fan myself), but given the man's literary influence I thought this house a worthy stop. The original house is a self-guided tour where one actually walks up the stairs through a building that has largely been left unmolested. This has its positives and negatives. You have access, but it doesn't look like a whole lot. It's the sort of place that asks you to use your imagination, which is probably appropriate. I did get some orientation from ranger staff. There was no charge to enter, and a slow stream of people followed me. A reading room was set up with Poe's entire body of work, and exhibitions out in front focused heavily on his many relationships with women. I recall the Poe House in Baltimore being a somewhat more dynamic and interesting experience, but this place is worthy of preservation and an interesting quick stop (or a long one if you want to make use of the reading room).

A place all real Edgar Allen Poe fans should visit. The space has a definite energy to it.

The Poe House has limited hours so be sure to make time during those hours if you're available. The Poe House was a fantastic and creepy visit. We started in the neighbors house and the semi sadly lit room with the appearance blood stained window panes was just the appetizer for what was yet to come. We skipped the documentary film and made our way to the cellar. The cellar was an experience. As verbose as I can be I don't think I can accurate portray the eerie and emptiness that engulfs the cellar. It's spooky and unsettling and I wouldn't want to be locked in there after dark. We climbed the stairs to make our way to the bedrooms, studio, and the kitchen. There are very low ceilings in every room so if you're more than six feet tall, duck your head down to save yourself from the bumps. TIP: Stand in a corner and look out the window. I did this in every room and each time I felt like I was looking outside not to the present day but to 1844 Philadelphia. We exited down back to the main foyer and picked up a passport stamp, a raven, and a replicated poem 'The Raven' The Poe home was one of our highlights to Philadelphia and we were beyond thrilled to have walked across the same floorboards he and his family did some 190 years before.

A site to see! And a nice little stop. Doesn't seem like a good neighborhood but a quick and safe spot to park. It looks as if it is closed but one knock at the door and someone lets you in. The home/museum is a lot bigger inside then it seems on the outside. It is free to get in; as we technically pay with our taxes - if your a U.S. citizen- as the Museum Park worker mentioned questioning my Latino husband. Which was the only negative thing about the visit. Other then that it is worth visiting.

I had been wanting to visit this landmark for quite sometime and finally did a couple weeks ago. It was beyond my expectations and was pleasantly surprised that admission was free. That is something you don't hear of often!! We were staying nearby so we walked. Lots of great history here and even some interactive activities. We spent about 1 hour 15 minutes exploring.

I've always been a big Edgar Allan Poe fan so of course I had to stop in here and see the house since it said that this was his house I guess why I live in Philadelphia. I was big fan of the city of Philadelphia we had a lot of great experiences in a lot of good fun. So we really enjoyed seeing the raven on the outside of the house is an old rundown looking building of course because it's very old but this was a cool thing to see

We were driving through Philly and randomly saw Poe's house and so we stopped for an impromptu visit. The house is a National Historic site. There is a gift shop which you see upon entry and exit. In the gift shop sits a park ranger, several of Poe's books, t-shirts and many other keepsakes. Guests will see history of Poe's life displayed upon entry. There is also a reading room and a movie room. Tours are available and will likely enhance the overall experience of visiting the house. Otherwise, one can roam freely through each room and check out where Poe wrote some of his most famous literature. There is not a lot to see or read beyond the first floor. The restroom facilities and water fountain are in the basement. Overall, if you are a fan of Poe, this is certainly worth the visit if you happen to be in Philadelphia, otherwise you can experience Poe through his literature. The rangers are super friendly and wecoming. They are eager to offer suggestions and answer questions. We had a wonderful time on our improvement visit!

The beautiful & tragic remains of one of Philadelphia's most prolific writer, may this house allow you a snippet of the sad life of Edgar Allan Poe. After all, not every house is necessarily a home. The Location This is the National Historic Site located in Philly and is a great spot for history buffs, stamp collectors, and macabre enthusiasts alike. Parking is all along the street so just don't get towed and you should be fine! The Venue This is a 3-story house with tons of stories to tell so make sure to ask lots of questions and take in every inch! When you first walk up, you have to knock once and patiently wait for a park ranger to welcome you in. There are plenty of things to read in the main area but then you take yourself on a self-guided tour with an easy to follow pamphlet. From room to room you'll see a slowly aging house that fills you with the same feelings that the man himself probably felt from day to day. This is NOT a happy house and I am glad they don't try to glam it up; they keep tit REAL out here folks. It's easy to see why people in the household were not happy, why the struggle was the way it was, and also some of the inspirations for his stories come directly from here. I won't say much else about the basement, but if you're in the area checking out the sites, seeing where history takes you, this may not be your first stop, but it should certainly be a part of the trip! Final Thoughts I want to say that I left that place feeling as creeped out about Poe and maybe saw some of the emptiness that seemed to surround his life. Some of the greatest influencers have the most sad backstories, and it doesn't always get better. Nice job with this place and I hope you enjoy it too!

Absolutely awesome Historic site to visit. They do run an 8 minute introduction talk before you head into the house proper. You can take a guided or self guided tour. If you choice self guided your given a laminate that explains each room you enter. The rooms are not in good shape and all except for the Sitting room are not furnished if that matters to some people. I just kept thinking over & over that I'm walking where Poe once walked and slept and ate. All very fascinating and very enjoyable. The Park Ranger that was there for my visit was super kind and helpful in answering my questions.

Fun little museum type house. Lots of history and free! It was crazy to see how the houses were built and that this was a duplex at one point.

I've always loved Edgar, Allan Poe's writings, but to be in his home in a place where he was writing some of my favorite stories was absolutely inspiring. The Park rangers were wonderfully helpful, answered any and all of my son's rambling questions and we loved every minute of it. It also helps that it's a self guided tour so you can take your time.

This is a pretty low key nps sites. Edgar Allan Poe spent almost no time living there and the site has very little content. The rangers are great, especially with kids (and they are probably the only reason to stop by the site).

This was a nice place to visit, even if it in the grand scheme of things it isn't that important to Edgar Allan Poe's life. The park rangers are very knowledgeable and genuinely seemed excited to answer my thousand questions. This place is worth a visit.

This was such a fun little home to explore! There are lots of hands on exhibits for kids and adults to play with. The signage isn't up to NPS' typical standards but I enjoyed learning about Poe. They also have a little reading room!

One of the best attractions to visit in the city if you're a fan of literature, poetry or the mysterious. There's no entrance fee but there is a small gift shop where clothing and memorabilia is available for purchase. Exhibits include a short video presentation, self paced exploration through each room, guided tours and a dark and spooky reading room to further delve into his works.

If you are looking for a little history and are on a budget, check out the Edgar Allan Poe House in Philly. In the Northern Liberties, the historical site is the former residence of the American literary figure when he lived in the city back in the 1800s. It's an unassuming house on the street. When you walk up to the door, you ring the doorbell and someone will let you in. Once inside, you'll see some displays with artifacts and information about the writer. Rangers will greet you and suggest that you watch an intro film before exploring the house. The rangers also give a tour of the property, where you can check out all of the rooms and they'll tell you about each room and what life was like in the neighborhood and city at the time. At the end of the tour, you can check out the little library in the back of the building and listen to audio recordings of Poe's work and look at original manuscripts. I recommend it if you are into Poe, literature, and history. Plus, admission is free. What beats that?! Check it out!

This was a lot of fun and very informative. Very interesting to be able to walk around the house of Edgar Allan Poe, an American writer, editor, and literary critic. In some parts of the house there is a creepy vibe. We were so nosey that we discovered a loose floor board in one of the bedrooms- not gonna give away what we found but we did get startled and had a good laugh about it.

I love the fact that Philadelphia has plenty of historic spots to visit like Historic Philadelphia, The Art Museum, and The Betsy Ross House. But my idea of a good historic spot is a place where a famous writer penned a lot of his classics. and Philadelphia has the Edgar Allen Poe House! This place is the only surviving residence in Philadelphia where Poe has lived and created a lot of his classics. It is now fully converted into a museum about him and his classic works. it is open from 9am to 5pm Wednesday through Thursday. and the best part about it - admission is FREE! On Thursday October 25th they are going to have an evening candlelight tour that focuses on some of his classic horror stories. It's going to be $10 but very worth it. they are also going to have a big event for his 199th birthday in January.

I hadn't been to this place since the 8th grade. My husband had never been here and was dying to go. So, we decided to go on a Sunday afternoon. When we walked in, there were only about six other people lingering around in the house. One of the employees (a friendly woman in her mid 50's) greeted us and told us that the tour was free and that we can use cameras. After about 5 minutes, she led us to a room where an 8-minute film was to be played. The film was very basic and gave you a general idea of the life of Poe. After the film, the same woman took us on a tour of the house. The woman was very engaging, pleasant and knew her Poe history. If you are a Poe fan and are in the city of Philadelphia (whether you live here or are visiting), I recommend that you stop by this house. There is also merchandise available for purchase.

An extra star for being FREE and the fact that you can wander the house at your leasure. The guides are very nice, they also show a short film and have a small giftshop. Its great getting to see the inside of an old home in Philly, since most of them still look like this. The area is a bit seedy but the home well kept on the outside with a fairly large yard, oddly enough a cat was running through the house and yard looking exactly like his did which added to the charm. Worth checking out if you are in Philly, this will not take long as the house is tiny but very educational and interesting stop.

Not worth the stop! Was excited about seeing this place. Disappointment. Just a building that needs major work. Paintings and banners on walls of what it may have looked like. Seller was creepy.

If you're a fan of Edgar Allen Poe, or if you just enjoy the literary works of writers from any century, this is definitely a place to check out. Oh, and by the way, it's free! When you first walk into the museum, you are walking into, what I believe is, the former neighboring home. Located there is the gift shop, along with a timeline that shows what was going on in Poe's life, as well as the world, at the time. There, you will also find some cool Poe trivia. Once you step into the next room (on the left), you are stepping into the House of Usher (jk, it's Poe's). The museum offers a 15ish minute video presentation. I highly recommend it. It's a quick recap of Poe's life, and details of some of his work. The museum has a self-guided tour (which we did) that takes you around the house, via a sheet guide. It was really easy to understand, and it took you all over the house, through the front yard, and even into the eerie basement filled with cobwebs. Whether you're a fan of poetry, a literary buff, a history buff, or none of the above, Edgar Allen Poe's house is definitely a place to check out. It's really close to downtown Philly, and it's free! You definitely won't be disappointed if you visit.

Excellent. 1) Poe is one of my favorite American authors. Had to make a visit. 2) Before entering the house there is a crow, very nice to take pics. 3) The museum is free. Worth a visit.

So glad we stopped here! The ranger was such a fun storyteller and really madr the experience wonderful. There wasn't too much to see within the house but it was fun to hear about Poe's inspiration and thrilling to hear a scary story in the basement. A fun part was also hearing chris walken read The Raven in the sitting room:)

Edgar Allen Poe is admittedly one of my literary idols, I've read through his complete collection, and had a compendium of the majority of his work adorning my desk at work to read between calls for quite some time. The Edgar Allan Poe house, as everyone will tell you, really is just a well preserved, albeit run down house, that the literary marvel spent about half a year living in, what you'll take away from the self guided tour is really a matter of perspective. The introductory movie is fairly educational if your not too familiar with poe or his works, and some of the additional things available for children make it a fantastic place to take a child, and would be a strong recommendation for smaller school field trips in my opinion. The reading parlor, which isn't an actual part of the poe house, is fairly well furnished, and contains the complete collection of poe himself, as well as a plethora of other works of a similar vein. The lobby and gift shop are fairly standard fare, sadly the shirt sizes only go up to 2XL (There is a black white and red design that's quite eye catching on one of the shirts) Admittedly- despite the grandeur of stepping in the tracks of a literary giant, my favorite thing in the poe house is a small, insignificant detail. In the basement the bathrooms are house, three doors, one for men, one for women, and a locked (Probably closet) labled Poetics, with an assortment of cut out words for people to rearrange at their own leisure and leave a message. Something about the slapped together brooding sentences (no doubt some young and inspired kids left behind) really spoke to me. That perhaps, the Poe House isn't for me, for us older generations, but the real value and treasure of this landmark, is the spark it can ignite in the minds of those to come afterwards. If the floor is lava, what horror doth Edgar Allen Poe's house embolden in the imagination of the next generation? Someday I hope we find out.

Loved this little gem! The park rangers are into the experience... Including a scary story in the basement. If you have time listen to the recording Christopher Walken Reading the Raven in the Red Room. Worth it.

Savor his works before you go. Staff is superb. Enjoy the simplicity of this jewel. Walk down towards Green Street and then make a left on second street with many great restaurants and shops in the wonderful neighborhood of Northern Liberties. Knock once. You will know what this means if you do your homework (:

I remember reading "The Cask of Amontillado" in middle school and being blown away. Poe exemplified the mystery genre to me, and from then on I was hooked. The house on 7th Street in Philadelphia is where Poe, his wife Virginia, and his beloved mother-in-law, Muddy, lived for a stretch during their six years in the city. The house is a bit off the beaten tourist path, but we were able to walk it from Independence Park just fine (a little under a mile). It's a definite must-visit destination for any Poe fan. The site is now maintained by the NPS which means that your visit is free. There's a self-guided tour of the small abode as well as a brief video about Poe and his time in Philadelphia -- it's believed he began work on "The Raven" here. The Rangers at this historic site are quite knowledgeable as well and enhance the overall experience. The Park Service has opted not to refurbish the home in period furniture which creates a supremely creepy and Poe-ish atmosphere. The empty rooms resonate with the eerie presence of those former residents and their literary companions: that cursed raven, Roderick and Madeline Usher, Pluto the cat. The house settles and creaks, the floorboards groan, and the steps sigh as you walk through the tight quarters . . . . . . "tear up the boards! here, here!--It is the beating of his hideous heart!"

This is not just the Poe House - this is, in fact, the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site - an official, federally-run (using your tax dollars) site designated by Congress to honor the legacy of one of the country's most important writers. If that doesn't impress you, keep in mind there are only five such author's homes supported by the National Park Service. Poe lived in this home for only about a year but it serves as a reminder of his 5 or 6 years in Philadelphia - his most productive, most financially successful, and happiest years during his short life. In Philly, he wrote "The Black Cat," "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Pit and the Pendulum" and many of his other now-classics. None of his original furnishings remain and the historians that work here have no evidence for what it looked like while he lived here. Committed to historical accuracy, the Park Service chose not to make it up - instead they have left the home completely bare, allowing visitors to use their imaginations (appropriate, considering the man who lived here). The folks who are upset when they see empty rooms are missing the point (and might be more upset when they hear "this is just representative furniture, not really Poe's"). Please, to maximize your experience, don't skip the introductory video that explains (accurately) Poe's life. They ignore the BS that's out there (i.e. that Poe was a drug addict which, for cryin' out loud, is not true nor has it ever been, despite people perpetuating it) and tell a great story. Also, don't bother doing the self-guided tour. If you go all the way out there, take advantage of the scholars that work there (some have been there for 15+ years) - they know more than you and they're there for a reason. To put it simply: TAKE THE RANGER-LED TOUR. They offer them every hour. You'll learn, if nothing else, that he didn't really write a lot of horror stories - that's just what teachers happen to assign in class. Admission is free - to say it is worth the visit is an understatement. Some info in other reviews here is incorrect: his wife did not die here (she died in NY) and he did not write "The Raven" here. Quick note on the neighborhood - definitely not the best area, definitely a longish less-than-scenic walk from the Independence Hall area, so take a cab or a bus or drive. I've visited this site literally dozens of times and never had my car stolen or vandalized but, obviously, be smart about your car.

The people that worked there were nice. The peeling paint on the walls was cool looking I guess? Not much to say because it was just an empty house. No furniture and an extremely basic self-guided tour. The most exciting thing was the silly stuffed cat in the basement. If you are a Poe fan and have time to explore the reading room at the front, you might find something fun. Otherwise it is just a completely empty house. I bought a mug to support the cause, but I'm not sure it was really worth the walk to it.

The Poe house is very much a B-List place in the world of the NPS and when you see where it is and how small the house is that will become apparent very quickly. But with that said, if you can use your imagination a bit it can still be a winner as the displays are very well put together and Poe the man and his life were such oddities that the more you find out the less you understand. A few noteworthy tips if you go: The area around the house is shady at best and if you do walk from CC or make the walk from the Market-Frankfurt Blue Line just simply watch your back as the locals are "interesting" at best. As other reviewers already remarked, there is zero in the neighborhood to do except for maybe get shot or stabbed. You can't just enter the house. There is a sign on the door that tells you to knock first. They do this because if you come first thing when they open apparently there is only one ranger there and if they are in another part of the house they won't be at the door to greet you. (And it probably has something to do with the locals as well.) If you do show up when only one ranger is on duty they will not offer the guided house tour. The house is free but the 1st floor has a well done short movie and various displays explaining Poe's life and all of his struggles and the strange circumstances surrounding his death. Floors two and three are unfurnished and simply show where the members of the house likely lived while the basement does it's best at being creepy. Overall the price is right and if you can break away from the more well worn touristy path of history in/around Independence Hall you can definitely find something that is very different and very well put together at the Poe House. Hours: Wednesday - Sunday 9am - 5pm (The house will be closed from March 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013 for restoration work.)

While there isn't a whole lot here, it is free and combined with the video highlighting Poe's life that alone is enough. A cute giftshop and a chance to experience what it was like to live in a (very small) home during Poe's lifetime are plusses, minuses would include the sketchy neighborhood. Friendly guides, a self guided tour, and relative freedom to wander at your leisure - I wouldn't call it a "must see," but then again there are very few National Historic Sites dedicated to author's homes and as such it is on a short list highlighting some of the most important writers in our nation's history.

After being in Philadelphia for more than three months, we finally made it to the Edgar Allan Poe (EAP) House the other day. Husband and I are both big Poe fans (what right-thinking person is not?), and so this is a stop we've been wanting to make. The EAP House is not huge, but it provides a good insight into Poe's time in the house--and Philadelphia in general. (When you go, be sure to take advantage of the eight-minute film that provides a lot of this information.) It is so cool to know that you're standing in the same spot where Poe himself once stood. And, the folks working at the EAP house, who are all clearly dedicated Poe fans, are even cooler. A tad off the beaten tourist/Center City track, the EAP House is well worth the trek.

This attraction is way underrated and under-visited (there were like two other people while I was there, on a Sunday over long weekend). The curator was very friendly and attentive, made sure I knew where I was supposed to go on the self-guided tour. The house is unfurnished save for the reading room but there are paintings put up around the house to aid your imagination on what went on in each room. I didn't watch the video (I got a goldfish-esque attention span) but I did a visual sweep of the lobby - a timeline that chronicles Poe's biography and the history of the house, a display that recounts Poe's domestic and international influences on various authors, an audio guide on Poe's style that you can follow along with a booklet. Very informative and fascinating. My favourite part of the house was the cellar, which was EXACTLY like how I had pictured it when I read the Black Cat. Kinda creepy. If a black cat scampered across the floor I would have yelped and then bolted. Also, entry is FREE, and within walking distance to Old City. Definitely worth checking out.

This site was great to visit, but the building is bare and mostly empty and kind of falling apart. I don't expect to have items owned by Edgar Allen Poe here, but maybe furnish it to look like it did in the 19th century? There was only one room furnished, and that was the parlor. Otherwise the self-guided tour was very informative, it was nice to see and learn about Edgar Allen Poe's home life. I knew about his trouble with school, his wife was his young cousin that died of tuberculosis (and the poem Annabel Lee was about her passing) and his mixed success as a magazine editor. But this filled in more details about his life. Overall, anyone whom has studied literature or appreciates Edgar Allen Poe should pay a visit to this site. Site is run by the National Forest Rangers, and they were very informative and pleasant, and one gentleman was quite knowledgeable about Poe and the site.

Free site that does a good job of providing a basic education on Edgar Allan Poe's life and career. We visited on a Sunday afternoon and it wasn't too crowded. Would recommend watching the film (about 8 minutes) for an overview of Poe's life and then spending some time reading the panels in the exhibition area on the main floor. The house itself is unfurnished and not too exciting -- each room is super bare bones and has just one panel describing what it was likely used for when Poe was in residence. We wandered through the house quickly before going back to the main floor, looking around the gift shop, and stamping our NPS passports. The park rangers were notably knowledgable and excited to discuss Poe and answer questions. This site is worth visiting if you're a fan of EAP and/or American literature. Otherwise, it's educational and free -- interesting place to stop in if you have time, but there are other more compelling sites in Philly.

I highly recommend visiting the Edgar Allan Poe House and absorbing some of the history of an American literary whom lived in the house back in the 1800's. You'll get to observe the rooms, including the library. Unfortunately, you'll spend very little time here since the house is very small. The rangers (tour guides) are extremely nice, knowledgeable, and accommodating. The gift shop has some cute items for sale. Not the best part of town though so lock up :) Admission is free.

Visited Edgar Allan Poe NHS today, December 15, 2019. Our tour, led by park ranger Luke, was welcoming, knowledgeable, and thorough. As a big EAP fan, this out-of-towner was happy! Recommend a visit to all, especially literary enthusiasts. :)

Fantastic and free! If you're an EAP fan, this is definitely worth a visit. The rooms of the house themselves aren't thattt interesting, since Poe only lived there a short time and so there's not too much to say about any particular room. However, you can walk yourself through for about a 15-min guided tour. The real fun comes in the rooms by the entrance where there's a ton more information about Poe's life and works. My favorite was the back room which was decorated in dark maroon and wood furniture, like a living room from decades ago. It's FILLED with tons of books- many short story compilations, some by Poe and some by other authors, some eerie and some not. I spent almost 45 minutes in there just sitting and reading. The mini gift shop has some fun things to choose from and it's pretty win-win to get a cool Poe poster while simultaneously supporting a free national historic site. Worth the visit! Make sure you check out the EAP mural on the building opposite the house.

For being a free attraction, I went not expecting very much. However, as a Poe fan I had to go check it out! We arrived with 30 minutes to spare until closing, but breezed through in around 15 minutes. The house itself is only 6 rooms plus cellar with not a lot to look at, but they supply with some interesting information. The outside area has a raven statue to honor Poe, which is pretty nice + good for pictures. The staff were all really helpful + friendly (I was concerned since we were cutting it close on time). Considering Poe only resided in the house for about a year, they're making it work with not a lot to go on.

We always make a point to stop at National Historic sites during our travels. We were in Philadelphia for the day passing through and stopped at several Historic sites. I was really excited to go to the EAP House. I know a lot about his works but very little about the man himself. Upon arriving, there's a sign on the door that says to knock once. My wife used the door knocker and the door opened slowly and a park ranger welcomed us in. The ranger was very nice and explained that there was a short film and the rest was a self guided tour. They were there to answer any questions we had. We watched the short film and proceeded on our tour. The house is actually a duplex. On the side you are welcomed into was the neighbors side and that's where the gifts and books are along with a timeline of his time in Philly. The other side was EAP's home. He only lived here for 6 months. He did write 3 pieces while he lived here. When we started our tour we went into a room straight out of the film room and it was just a beat up plaster wall room with holes down to the wooden lath. At this time is when we heard one of the rangers telling another guest that there was nothing at all in this building that belonged to Edgar Allen Poe. You go on the neighbor's side and it seemed like the rangers were more excited to tell people that this is the way the neighbors home may have looked. It was at least set up with nice period pieces. EAP's side was just deteriorating walls. There was no period pieces or anything. Just empty rooms. At that point our visit was done. I have been to a lot of National Parks and National Historic Sites all over the country and have never been to one that was just empty walls. You would think that they would try to acquire a desk, or a chair, or even a pen that he used during his lifetime to say "hey, this was EAP's" I gave this 3 stars because I did learn some things about EAP that I didn't know before. Unless you're a EAP fanatic, you can skip this site. There are a lot more sites to visit in Philadelphia that will teach you more than the EAP home.

I probably wouldn't have even considered coming here if it were not for my other hobby of letterboxing. I'm really glad we got to stop by. It's nice to visit a National Park for free and no line! Start off with the 8 min video. It gave us a really concise overview of Poe's life and all his struggles (and successes). The exhibits were not too overwhelming with information, and there were definitely kid-friendly parts. The self-tour around the house was also pretty interesting. Overall, you could probably spend about 30min-1hour here and get a good experience. The gift shop has a lot of cute stuff, too. P.S. The rangers were very informative -- not only on the Poe house but also gave us some tips regarding Independence Hall and other tours!

A fun find in a unique part of Philadelphia. If you are interested in American Literature, this would be a must! The tour guides are engaged and have an impressive fund of knowledge. There is a storytelling session in the basement that is an absolute must!

What a pleasant surprise! I was a bit hesitant to come here after reading a few of the reviews but I am so glad that I did. Edgar Allan Poe only lived in this house for a year, but it is still a lovely place for his museum. I must admit the Park Rangers absolutely made the trip for me though. They were so sweet and nice and full of interesting information! Plus they had a whole list of cab companies for me to call when it was time to leave and I needed a ride. There is a 8 (or 15, I can't remember) minute short film about Mr. Poe by the entrance and is well worth a watch! It definitely gives you background and was very interesting (none of that boring stuff). I'll admit I haven't read his work since school but my mother is an avid reader of his works and just ooooed and ahhhhed over the info they shared since it was still fresh on her mind. Side note, even if you don't know his work, you would still probably find it interesting. He was a very fascinating man! Even if his life story is sad...and full of loss :( Plus think of all the new knowledge and anecdotes you can share at dinner parties! You can sound smart (my go-to trick)! The actual house if empty of furniture but the stories and background make up for it. Plus it is just cool to see such an old house...and he lived there...and wrote there...my inner literary and history buff was geeking out. Definitely go here if you have some time. It was one of my favorite stops during my Philadelphia trip!

I think you should check it out. I wasn't going to at first, based on other's review of the ghetto, sketchy neighborhoods and possibility of having my car stolen, etc. However, since I am coming from NYC and I had just spent the prior day wandering a large part of Philly I couldn't wait to see this "ghetto". So, off we went into the dangerous parts of Philly *shudder* on foot I would like to add *eek*. Um, would I live there? No, probably not. Did I think I was going to get shot? No way. It's absolutely fine. And worth it. IMO the best part is that you are allowed to wander the ENTIRE house ALONE. I cannot stand when you go to see an old house like this and you are only permitted to see a few rooms or to peer in from the hallway. This place not only lets you show yourself around, they encourage you to to look in the closets, touch things (lol), stay and read for a while. They have a reading room with all of Poe's works and many other books a Poe lover will enjoy. You are invited to stay, read, make yourself comfortable. Last and not least they have water fountains and restrooms. Always a plus for tourists. I am not sure if Poe would approve of this inviting atmosphere but you will certainly be glad for it.