Happy Birthday to You, Dear Edgar

By Administrator RSS Mon, December 29, 2008

Whether it's classic poems and literature, ties to Philadelphia, spooky undertones, or a great performance that interests you, the Free Library of Philadelphia's celebration of Edgar Allan Poe's 200th birthday has something for you - and the whole family!

The real party happens on Saturday, January 10, and Tuesday, January 13. Read about our free events below, and stop by Parkway Central to join the celebration and help us blow out the candles on the birthday cake!

An Afternoon with Edgar Allan Poe
Saturday, January 10, 1:00 p.m., Montgomery Auditorium
Attend a performance of renowned Poe impersonator David Keltz.

200th Birthday Celebration
Saturday, January 10, 2:00 p.m., Main Lobby
Celebrate Poe’s birthday with cake, giveaways, and fun for the whole family.

Poe’s Helen Remembers
Saturday, January 10, 3:00 p.m., Elkins Room, Rare Book Department, 3rd Floor
Watch an intimate portrait of Poe’s fiancée, Helen Whitman, performed by actress and National Park Ranger Helen McKenna-Uff.

The Great Poe Debate
Tuesday, January 13, 7:30 p.m., Montgomery Auditorium
Inspired by Edward Pettit’s 2007 City Paper article, “We’re Taking Poe Back,” and recently covered by the New York Times, the event will feature representatives from cities where Poe resided. Participants will debate which city is most worthy of Poe’s remains, and Pettit will represent Philadelphia.

 

The Rare Book Department in the Parkway Central Library is gearing up for a bash to celebrate Edgar Allan Poe’s 200th birthday. A special exhibition, Quoth the Raven: A 200 Year Remembrance of the Life and Legacy of Edgar Allan Poe, has been on display in the Rare Book Department since October and will run through February 13, 2009. Fans of the American Romanticism writer can tour the exhibit to see rare manuscripts and first editions, as well as Poe family heirlooms and Grip, Charles Dickens’ pet raven and the inspiration behind Poe’s most famous poem. If you're interested in learning more about Poe and his work, click here for a variety of resources that will help start you on your way.
 

Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
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I still remember my introduction to Edgar Allen Poe. Reading the Tell-Tale Heart for the first time amazed me. I was so enthralled by that book. I might have to reread it as a way to "celebrate" his birthday.
Rhonda - Altoona, PA
Monday, January 5, 2009
"the Poe Rangers trailer, made me laugh, and I loathe laughter..." - E. Poe - Philadelphia's own literary master Edgar Allan Poe has fascinated growing minds for almost 200 years (his 200th Birthday is in 1 week) - and Philly-fans should reflect on this towering talent (who) created so much right here in this city! Some fans (however) can take their devotion to extremes... Some fans even seek to protect his legacy by becoming park rangers (to protect and secure) his former house (located at 7th and Spring Garden Street) "lest fiends encroach upon the Poe House" such as Baltimore's Poe Rangers! thus to that end - Philly's Poe Rangers must stand and fight (assuming that NObody else is available) "the problem is that every ranger who gets 'posted' there (the poe house) slowly becomes...insane" - Col. Taint (liason to the Poe Rangers) this is the ongoing battle between THE POE RANGERS; Lt. Emil, Sgt. Daisy, Lenore, Prof.Taint and 'Eddy' their mascot (the 2nd best Poe-actor available for the money) as they battle against the strange, mysterious forces that 'threaten' us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQlRg5DXeV0&feature=channel_page Filmed on location at the Poe House AND all around 5th and SpringGarden, which is a dangerous, creepy and altogether foreboding area - which explains a lot about POE's inspiration there (and chronic depression). still - comedy crawls forward.
scott - Philadelphia
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Keep it that way. Happy Birthday Edgar, lovely mosaic to celebrate with. --------------------------------------- Angelena Peter
Angelena Peter - Newyork
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
You really need to update the Free Library blog... Where is the news re: the newly found Calder's that are now hanging in the Central Branch on the Parkway. Also, how about writing about the City's attempt to close the 11 library branches and the latest news from the Director of the Library System Siobhan Reardon. From today's (Jan. 13, 2009) Inquirer: "The Free Library is now requiring that four workers, not three, be present in a branch before it can open for the day, an abrupt change in practice that is expected to lead to closures." article link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20090113_Library_increases_staffing_minimum_for_opening.html
Allan Smithee - Example: Philadelphia
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
I absolutely LOVE Edgar Allen Poe's short stories! Initial thoughts are that he is macabre, disturbed, troubled, genius. My personal fave is the Black Cat Poe was a very disturbed man, he delt with death all his life, so its only natural for him to write about what he knows But i did find it disturbing how much attention he paid to detail when he wrote about hiding his murdered corps's. But the man is a Genius, he knows how to write a good story.
Polovni Traktori - dublin, ireland
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I remember when I was younger I saw Tell Tale as a play. It was great. Happy Birthday!
LVS - GA
Monday, April 6, 2009
Happy new year!!!! [url=http://www.chineseop.com]tom[/url]
Tomulu - chinese
Thursday, December 31, 2009
This is tragic. We're seeing kids wasting more and more time playing silly on that stupid site at my local library. What can be done?!
Jason - Phili
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Thank You For This Post, was added to my bookmarks.
autovepeent - United States
Thursday, May 26, 2011
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Dypedeemy - USA
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
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Affipordedo - USA
Thursday, July 14, 2011
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Affipordedo - USA
Saturday, July 16, 2011
I find myself coming to your blog more and more often to the point where my visits are almost daily now!
LerBroogget - USA
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

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