Poe at the Athenæum: A Special Halloween Guided Tour and Rare Book Viewing

In 1848, famed American writer and master of the macabre Edgar Allan Poe visited the Providence Athenæum. Learn about Poe’s visits to the library on a staff-led tour of the building, which includes stops in the Art Room (usually open only to members) and the Philbrick Rare Book Room. Then take a peek at some of the library’s Poe-related treasures during a guided rare book viewing, and experience the Spiritualism, Illusion, and the Beyond exhibit.

Highlights include:
– Two first editions of Poe’s The Raven and Other Poems!
– The library’s Charging Book in which Poe signed out a library book!
– Portraits of Poe and his one-time Providence fiancée Sarah Helen Whitman!
– The poem “Ulalume” in The American Whig Review, signed by Poe himself!

The tour and rare book viewing will last about 45 minutes, with time for questions. The tour fee includes library admission for non-members. Please note that as we do not have an elevator in our historic building, guests will climb several sets of stairs during the tour.