Crowd Celebrates Poe’s Birthday in RVA

People of all ages arrived at the Poe Museum last Saturday for the thirteen-hour Poe Birthday Bash 2016. A line had already formed on the sidewalk before the museum even opened, and there was still a crowd lingering after the midnight champagne toast. Below are a few scenes from the celebration.

The cake featured Poe, his mother, and his last fiancée. All of them were present during the day, and the latter two gave guided tours of the neighborhood.

Somebody is excited about getting some birthday cake!

Poe’s last fiancée, Elmira Royster Shelton, guided a group to her home on Church Hill.

The Sisters in Crime held a panel in which members of the mystery writer group spoke about their favorite Poe stories.

Back by popular demand, Margot MacDonald performed in the heated tent.

Members of Ocean Versus Daughter played for the Poe-fans.

Poe himself delivered an impassioned performance of “The Tell-Tale Heart.”

Michael Fawcett thrilled the audience with his recitation of “The Raven.”

Bill Blume of James River Writers’ The Writing Show made the mistake of following Poe to the cellar to sample his new cask of amontillado.

The Poe Museum’s new exhibit “Poe’s Greatest Hits” took visitors inside Poe’s terror tales.

The day’s festivities ended with a midnight toast to Poe in the Poe Shrine.

We’ll see you at Poe Birthday Bash 2017!