Edgar Allan Poe Cottage

Where is it? 2640 Grand Concourse, Bronx

How do I get there? Well, I walked, but you'll want to take B/D train to Kingsbridge Rd (the park where the Cottage is located is on Kingsbridge Rd and the Grand Concourse)

When can I go? Saturdays 10am-4pm; Sundays 1pm-4pm (groups need to make reservations)

 

How much do I have to shell out to get in? $5 for adult, $3 for students and kids, but if you're a fan of Poe, museums, or history, it's worth it

The run-down: Based on the outside (it's small) I thought it would be a quick in and out, but the guided tour lasted about 45 minutes (there's an optional video at the end which is about 10/15 minutes long). Pictures are allowed (and encouraged). And the curator (who conducts the tour) is both informative and personable, without being boring or over-bearing. The cottage contains a 'shop' that has Poe memorabilia, books and other knick-knacks. Before you go, you should know that while the cottage is original, the furniture inside are period pieces, but not owned by Poe. There are, however three pieces that were Poe's (a rocking chair, a mirror and a bed frame).

What was cool about the cottage: The recapping of Poe's life was interesting (although, finding out that when he was 26 he married his 13-year-old cousin will change how I think about 'Annabel Lee' from now until forever). And, even though it wasn't originally owed by Poe, there's a period style desk that's portable! (OK, maybe I have just have an odd love of office supplies. 

 This is the portable desk

(it's really just the top, which is a box that can be put on 

any stand to use as a desk - seriously, how cool is that?)

What I could have done without: The process to get into the cottage. You have to go to the next building, sign in, and be escorted over to the cottage by the security guard (unless one of my siblings called ahead to tell them I was a bad piece). The guard was very polite, helpful and pleasant to talk to, and I'm sure this step is for security purposes, but it just seems a little more than necessary.

Need more info? Here's their website: www.bronxhistoricalsociety.org/poecottage.html