Edgar Allan Poe
National Historic Site

1840s home of Edgar Allan Poe, one of America's finest and most influential writers. The small brick house now connected to 530 North Seventh Street was Poe's home, 1843 -1844. During the entire six years (1838-1844) that Poe lived in Philadelphia, he attained his greatest successes as an editor and critic, and he published some of his most famous tales, including, "The Gold Bug," "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Tell-Tale Heart," and "The Murders in the Rue Morgue". Of his several Philadelphia homes, only this one survives. It serves as a tangible link with Poe and his days of greatness in Philadelphia. The life and work of Edgar Allan Poe are portrayed in this three building complex. The site became part of the National Park System on November 10, 1978.

ACREAGE:

Total: .52 (all federal)

VISITATION:

Highest in July and October, lowest in February.

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ADDRESS:

532 N. Seventh Street

Philadelphia, PA 19123

TELEPHONE:

(215) 597-8780

E-MAIL:

inde_poe_house@nps.gov

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Open Daily 9 am to 5 pm, June - October.

Open Wednesday to Sunday 9 am to 5 pm, November - May.

Closed New Years', Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Summer: Relatively warm and humid.

Winters: Cold with occasional snow and ice storms.

DIRECTIONS:

The Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site is located at 7th and Spring Garden Streets in Philadelphia, just a few blocks north of Center City and Independence National Historical Park. When planning your visit, we urge you to consider mass transit.

MASS TRANSIT:
From Independence National Historical Park Visitors Center:
(located at 3rd & Chestnut Streets)
Take SEPTA bus Route 57 at corner of 3rd & Chestnut Streets. Get off at Spring Garden Street. Walk left 4 blocks to 7th & Spring Garden Streets.

From Seventh Street:
Take SEPTA bus Route 47. Get off at Green Street (one block above Spring Garden Street)across from Poe House.

SEPTA Market-Frankford Elevated Train (Blue Line):
Take Blue Line elevated train eastbound from 2nd, 5th, or 8th Street stations. Get off at Spring Garden Station. Walk five blocks to Seventh Street.

WALKING:
From Independence National Historical Park: Take Third or Fourth Street to avoid crossing expressway. Make a left on Spring Garden St.to 7th St. (We do not recommend 5th, 6th or Seventh Streets because of dangerous traffic patterns.

If you arrive in the city by plane, take the "R-1 Airport Line" train to Market Street East (8th and Market Streets) and proceed as above.

If you arrive by car:

Eastbound, via I-76 (the Schuylkill Expressway) - Exit onto I-676 East (toward "Central Philadelphia) and follow it to the 8th Street exit. At the bottom of the exit ramp proceed straight at the traffic light. Make a left at the second traffic light (this becomes 7th street) and proceed two blocks to Spring Garden Street.

Westbound by car: After crossing the Ben Franklin Bridge - stay in the right hand lane and exit at the traffic light (this becomes 7th Street). Follow 7th Street to Spring Garden Street. From the Walt Whitman Bridge, take I-95 North exit (and follow Northbound instructions below.)

Northbound by car: via I-95 - Exit at "Independence Hall/Historic Area". At bottom of ramp turn left at traffic light onto Delaware Avenue (some sections are named "Columbus Ave.") to Spring Garden Street (about 1.5 miles). Turn left on Spring Garden Street and proceed to 7th Street.

Southbound by car, via I-95 - Use "Independence Hall/Historic Area" exit. At the bottom of the exit ramp turn right onto Callowhill Street. Follow Callowhill to 7th Street. Turn right on 7th and proceed to Spring Garden Street.

TRANSPORTATION:

To Park: Philadelphia is served by major air, rail, and bus lines and has an extensive public transportation system.
In Park: On street parking for personal vehicles is usually available along 7th Street. .

FEES, COSTS RATES:

No Admission fees.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center/Exhibits:

The site consists of a complex of three buildings, two of which serve as a visitor center and entrance to the site. This area contains exhibits, an audio-visual program, a small bookstore and restrooms. Ranger-guided tours of the Poe House begin here.

Programs, Activities:

Audiovisual presentations and ranger-guided tours are available throughout the year. House tours are limited to 25 persons; groups are encouraged to make reservations. Educational programs for schools are given throughout the school year; reservations are required. Other activities include several (annual) special events and a Jr. Ranger program.

Lodging and Camping Facilities:

None in the park. A variety of lodging is available in the city of Philadelphia. The nearest camping facilities are located outside the city (20 miles from center city).

Food, Supplies:

Local restaurants and grocery stores are within walking distance of the site.

Other Concessions, NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

An Eastern National (215-597-2569) bookstore is located at the site. A variety of books, postcards and posters are available with special emphasis on the works of Poe and other American writers.

Accessibility:

Wheelchair accessibility is provided for first floor (which includes the site's exhibits, audiovisual programs and bookstore). Braille text is available for visually impaired.

Special Needs:

On street parking is usually available adjacent to the site.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES / PARK USE:

On-site guided tours. A "Reading Room" is available for visitors to enjoy Poe's literature, including dramatic readings of his works on audio tape. A library is available for research purposes.

RESERVATIONS / PERMITS:

Groups of ten or more should contact the site at (215) 597-8780 in advance of their visit to make a reservation. Reservations for school groups are required. Although picnicking is allowed on the grounds, there are no indoor picnic facilities. Special Use and Filming Permits can be arranged by calling (215) 597-9205.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

On-site guided and self-guided tours, and Reading Room.

Visits generally take from a half hour to an hour.

SPECIAL EVENTS / PROGRAMS:

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Independence National Historical Park;

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial;

Deshler-Morris House; and numerous historical and cultural sites in the city of Philadelphia.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Edgar Allan Poe NHS
532 N. 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 597-8780.

E-MAIL:

inde_poe_house@nps.gov