Ruthie Visit Part 2: Poe's Odd Death and Double-Grave

Rob, Ruthie and Tom

In Part 2 of our Edgar Allen Poe adventures with our friend Ruthie, we visited the Westminster Burial Ground in Baltimore and learned about Poe's odd death and his double-grave. Come along and find out with us in today's blog.

A WEIRD DEATH -  Edgar Allan Poe, who was buried here in October 1849, following his sudden and mysterious death after being found on the street near East Lombard Street in a sick and semi-conscious state wearing unfamiliar clothes. Poe was taken to the Church Home and Infirmary on Broadway (between East Fayette and Baltimore Streets on "Washington Hill"), where he died four days later.

Westminster Burial Ground. Ruthie and Tom reading a marker

ABOUT THE BURIAL GROUND - Westminster Hall and Burying Ground is a graveyard and former church located at 519 West Fayette Street (at North Greene Street) in Baltimore, Maryland. The complex was declared a national historic district in 1974. The graveyard was established in January 1787.

Edgar's first Grave

Edgar's 2nd grave near the entrance

 
TWO GRAVESITES IN ONE BURIAL GROUND - Poe actually has two graves on this site: his original grave and a monument added in 1875.

His original burial spot, towards the back of Westminster Hall, is marked by a headstone with an engraved raven. It was a family plot, lot 27, where his grandfather General David Poe Sr. and his brother Henry Leonard Poe are also buried.

GETTING THE SECOND MONUMENT -
In 1875, a local school teacher started a "Pennies for Poe" campaign to raise money for a more appropriate monument, resulting in the large marble monument located at the front of the cemetery facing Fayette St; to this day, it is traditional for visitors to the grave to leave a penny on the monument. Poe was re-buried there along with his aunt and mother-in-law Maria Clemm and his wife Virginia.

his grandfather General David Poe Sr.

NOTE: - Because there were so many people who wanted to visit Poe's gravesite and it was in the back of the church yard it made sense to move him and create a large marker for him up front near the grave yard entrance. That's where he is today. His white grave marker can be seen from the main street, even if you just drive by.

NEXT: A VISIT TO POE'S BALTIMORE ROW HOUSE