From Jeff Jerome, curator of the Baltimore Poe House:
Greetings Poe Fans,
This is to notify you that the events surrounding Poe's Funeral will begin on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 with the public viewing of Poe's body at the Poe House, 203 North Amity Street, Baltimore, Maryland from noon to 11 P.M. Viewing times for family and invited friends will be from 9 A.M. until noon (Open coffin).
The Baltimore Poe House will be closed on Thursday, October 8, 2009.
A candlelight vigil will be held at Poe's Grave from midnight to 7 A.M. on Thursday, October 8, 2009. During the vigil, people will be able to offer their own tribute to Poe at timed intervals. The tributes can be spoken, sung or performed (subject to prior approval).
On Sunday, October 11, 2009 Poe's Funeral will take place at the Westminster Hall, Fayette and Greene Streets in downtown Baltimore.
Poe's coffin will be brought to Westminster Hall from the Poe House in a horse drawn antique hearse by police escort for the first service only. Departure time and procession route will be announced.
Due to the expected demand there will be two services. The first service will be at 12:30 P.M. and the second one at 4:30 P.M. (Closed coffin)
Each service will feature eulogies given by people who knew Poe, were related to Poe or had some association with him. In addition there will be legacies, people who claimed to have been inspired by Poe to create their own literature such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Baudelaire, Jules Verne and others. As of this date we are awaiting confirmation from 7 living people who expressed a desire to give a eulogy to Poe. These are people in the literary, theatrical and movie professions.
I am also pleased to announce that John Astin will officiate at both services.
Musical selections including the 1889 Johnson pipe organ will be offered throughout the service.
The burial service will be private at the request of the family. No exceptions.
Ticket forms will be available through the website and it will be the same format as ordering tickets for the Poe Birthday Celebration. Don't delay in ordering tickets. Once they are gone, they are gone!
So far 2009 has been a memorable year for celebrating the Poe Bicentennial in Baltimore. Not only has the Poe House and Museum celebrated this event but other museums and historic sites in Baltimore have been doing the same. As an example, the National Museum of Dentistry is presenting "Berenice," featuring Tony Tsendeas, at the museum in September. What a better place to present Poe's gruesome tale of premature burial, grave desecration, mutilation and obsession with teeth then at a DENTAL MUSEUM!! The performance will feature actual dental instruments that were used in the 1840's to forcibly remove teeth. Looking at these instruments of torture is enough to give anyone goosebumps!
The public mailing will go out sometime in mid to late August. However, I'm going to make every effort to notify you, loyal Poe fans, in advance so you'll have first crack at ordering tickets. Seating will be limited to 300 seats.
Please keep visiting our website for updates in the program.
Please keep visiting our website for updates in the program.
This event is sponsored by the Baltimore City Department of Planning, The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum and the City of Baltimore.
Thank you for being loyal Poe fans and supporting the many Poe events that we've put on for you throughout the years and especially the 2009 events.
Cordially,
Jeff Jerome
Curator, Poe House and Museum
www.poebicentennial.com
www.nevermore2009.com
Partial list of speakers:
The Reverend Rufus Griswold (literary acquaintance)
Sarah Helen Whitman (former fiancée)
George Lippard (devoted Philadelphia friend)
George Rex Graham (Editor)
Nathanial Parker Willis (loyal friend)
Dr. John Moran (Poe's Physician at the time of his death)
Elizabeth Barrett Browning (poetess)
Charles Baudelaire (French writer)
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (English writer)
Tell Tale Heart Narrator (lunatic)
Col. J.T.L. Preston (Virginia Military College)
Awaiting confirmation:
Alfred Hitchcock
H. P. Lovecraft
Jules Verne
Nielson Poe
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