Welcome to the Poe Cottage! A forum dedicated to news, information, updates, and photos about Poe's home in the Bronx from 1846 to 1849.
The Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, built c. 1812, is a historic house museum made famous as the final home of the writer, one of this country's most gifted. Poe lived in the Fordham cottage from 1846 until his death in October 1849. During his residence, Poe wrote many poems in Fordham, including "The Bells," "Eureka" and "Annabel Lee." Set in Poe Park on the Grand Concourse, it is the only house left from the old village of Fordham. Poe Cottage, saved from destruction in the 1890s by the Shakespeare Society and moved into Poe Park in 1913, preserves a precious chapter of New York's literary heritage. It is owned by the City of New York and operated by The Bronx County Historical Society in conjunction with the Historic House Trust of New York City.
This is a period of momentous change and challenging opportunity for Poe Cottage and its Fordham community. Poe Cottage will soon begin a comprehensive and much-needed interior and exterior restoration, with funding from federal and city sources, matched with money from the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Historical Society. In addition, funding will be utilized for a security system upgrade, construction of an accessibility ramp onto the Cottage porch and a MEP [mechanical, electrical, plumbing] assessment of the structure to plan for future capital projects and funding goals. The project will breathe new life into this historic landmark and insure its future as a premier tourist destination.
Just as exciting is the upcoming construction in Poe Park of a Visitor Center, with restrooms and a programming/exhibition space. The Visitor Center will provide the venue of doing year-round programming that will help interpret Edgar Allan Poe and his Cottage to visitors from New York, the nation, and the world.
These two important capital projects will help achieve a stable environment for the precious landmark. This capital work presents a unique opportunity for the launch of The Bronx County Historical Society’s fundraising campaign for the establishment of a Poe Cottage endowment.
Operational expenses, including staffing, printing, publication, and educational programming costs cannot be handled with capital dollars. Only a firmly committed funding source derived from an endowment can assure the viable operation of the Visitor Center and Poe Cottage as a museum in the 21st century.
The launch of the Poe Cottage endowment campaign began with a fundraiser event at the National Arts Club on Friday, October 17, 2008. The intention of the campaign is not only raise funds for the museum and its programming, but increase its visibility among New York City’s cultural institutions.
Reopened in 2010, Poe Cottage will be promoted through marketing and advertising strategies as a historic site for young and old alike.
Poe Cottage Strategic Plan
2008
Capital Projects
Poe Cottage restoration
Visitor Center construction
2009
Commemorative Events
Bicentennial
of Poe’s birth
Capital Projects continue
Off-site programming
on Poe & His Cottage
2010
Facilities Open
Poe Cottage reopens
Visitor Center opens
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