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Poe Bicentennial Kicks Off in Richmond
01-09-2009Poe Birthday to Culminate with Candle-Light Walking Tour of Poe Sites in Richmond
Richmond, VA- On January 19, Richmond's own Edgar Allan Poe turns 200 and to celebrate the Poe Bicentennial, Richmond and the entire state of Virginia will kick off Poe Revealed 1809-2009, a cooperative effort among Virginia historical sites, museums, libraries and performing arts organizations to commemorate the life and works of Poe throughout 2009.On Friday, January 16, 2009, the U.S. Postal Service will release their new Edgar Allan Poe stamp in honor of the Bicentennial at the Library of Virginia. The First Day of Issue Ceremony will feature Poe's cousin, Dr. Harry Lee Poe, who recently published Edgar Allan Poe: An Illustrated Companion to His Tell-Tale Stories. He will also give a lecture on the evening of January 16 at 6 p.m. at St. John's Church about his life as a Poe, from appearing on a German TV gameshow to writing Edgar Allan Poe's biography from a cousin's point of view.
Award-winning artist Michael Deas, who designed the new Poe stamp, will also be a featured guest at the First Day of Issue Ceremony. Deas published The Portraits and Daguerreotypes of Edgar Allan Poe, a comprehensive collection of images featuring authentic likenesses as well as derivative portraits, and his work adorns many U.S. Postal Service commemorative stamps, including Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant.
The First Day of Issue Ceremony will be followed by a 24-hour birthday bash at the Poe Museum on Monday, January 19. The celebration will include the opening of a new exhibit, "Poe Face to Face: The Portraits of Edgar Allan Poe" as well as poetry readings throughout the day. The Museum will also hold a candle-light vigil at Poe's shrine at dusk. The celebration will culminate with an entertaining and historic candle-light walking tour beginning at 6:45 p.m. at Eliza Poe's grave site in St. John's Church Cemetery. The tour will include visits to Poe-related sites such as the Elmira Shelton House, Monumental Church and the Craig House. Haunts of Richmond will entertain walkers with a Poe-inspired performance and the tour will conclude at the Poe Museum where participants will enjoy a performance of ‘The Tell-Tale Heart' along with coffee and dessert and tours of the Museum. A complete schedule of Poe-related events throughout 2009 as well as information for educators, students, Poe enthusiasts and visitors is available on the Poe Revealed Web site, www.Poe200th.com. First Day of Issue Ceremony WHO U.S. Postal Service in partnership with the Poe Museum, Library of Virginia and St. John's Church. WHAT First Day of Issue ceremony for new Edgar Allan Poe Bicentennial stamp featuring Poe's cousin Dr. Harry Lee Poe and award-winning artist Michael Deas. The stamp dedication will be performed by Katherine C. Tobin, member, Board of Governors, USPS. Dr. Sandra G. Treadway, librarian of Virginia and Dana Gioia, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts will also make remarks. The Poe Middle School Honor Guard will perform the Presentation of Colors and the Poe Middle School Singers will sing the national anthem. WHEN Friday, January 16, 2009 WHERE Library of Virginia Dr. Harry Lee Poe Lecture WHO Edgar Allan Poe's cousin Dr. Harry Lee Poe, and St. John's Church. WHAT Lecture about his life as a Poe. WHEN Friday, January 16, 2009 WHERE St. John's Church 24-Hour Birthday Bash With Candlelight Walking Tour and Warm-Up Cocktail Hour WHO The Poe Museum, the Church Hill Association and St. John's Church. WHAT 24-hour birthday bash to include a candlelight walking tour followed by a "warm-up" cocktail hour at the Poe Museum. Opening of "Poe Face to Face: The Portraits of Edgar Allan Poe" exhibit. WHEN Monday, January 19, 2009 WHERE Poe Museum While his death in Baltimore remains a mystery, there is much known about the life of famed writer Edgar Allan Poe. During his adulthood, he spent time in Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore, but it was Richmond, Virginia that Poe considered home; the place where he grew up, married and first gained a national literary reputation.
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11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
6 p.m.
2401 East Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23223
Poe Museum to open at 12:01 a.m. and remain open for 24 hours.
*Candle-light Walking Tour: 6:45 p.m.
1914-16 East Main Street
Richmond, VA 23223
*Candle-light Walking Tour: begins at Eliza Poe's grave site in St. John's Church Cemetery.
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