Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
The adoption agency in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from Adoptions From The Heart, has sponsored this article for your enjoyment.
Early Life Of Edgar Allan Poe
Born in 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts, both parents were talented performers, with his mother being more prominent than his father. In 1811, his mother passed away from tuberculosis, leaving him and his two siblings as orphans since his father abandoned the family before his mother passed.
All three siblings were separated into three different families, and Edgar was taken in by a successful businessman, John Allan, and his wife Frances who had no biological children of their own.
Over the years, Poe decided to leave his adopted home in hopes of pursuing a literary career. He began writing poetry, books, literature, and prose. In 1845, he gained fame after his poem “The Raven” was published. Unfortunately, he passed away at the young age of 40 while traveling back to New York City, caused by “acute congestion of the brain” in 1849.
The Last Remaining Home
During the six years that Edgar Allan Poe and his family resided in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, there was only one home out of five surviving this length of time. Today, the home is marked as a historical site for guests to visit and relish all the home historical relevance it embodies.
To give a quick overview, the home consisted of four bedrooms and three stories. Poe’s family frequently used the front porch as a sitting space to enjoy the fresh air and make small talk with the neighbors.
On the second floor, Poe had a room dedicated to his work, where he could often be found under pressure to continue writing poems, short stories, and editorials. The third floor belonged to Poe’s wife, Virginia. They moved into the home to help her as she was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Her mother, nicknamed “Muddy,” had a room close to her, as she was her dedicated caretaker during her last days.
The Reading Room
While visiting the historic site, be sure to make a stop at the reading room, where you can browse the bookshelves of Edgar Allan Poe’s work or listen to a recorded reading of some of his pieces.
If you’re interested in learning more about historical sites in Philly, continue reading our next article on Shofuso Japanese Garden.
Our Local Office
Adoptions From The Heart helps prospective adoptive parents in and near the Pittsburgh area with international and domestic placements, guiding families looking into adoption, facilitating home studies, and handling all aspects of placement. To learn more, contact our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, adoption agency and speak with one of our caring adoption professionals.
