History To-Go: 1897 Poe House

Graphic and text describing the 1897 Poe House.
The Poe House was built in 1897 by Ruffin Vaughn, a prominent carpenter in the Cape fear region. The house is a Victorian-style kit home with Eastlake detailing. It was built for Edgar Allen Poe and his family. Mr. Poe owned and operated two brick yards where he manufactured bricks and pottery. The foundation of the Poe House was made using bricks from Mr. Poe's brickyard. Mr. and Mrs. Poe lived with their eight children: six girls and twin boys. The Poe's had three paid servants: Nancy, the cook, Ada, the housekeeper, and Jennie, the full-time, live-in nanny. Mr. Poe's fourth daughter, Lillie, was the last of the family to live in the home. She sold the house to the state of North Carolina in 1987. Restoration of the home started in March of 1997 and finished in May of 1998. The house is an estimated 5,500 square feet and two stories tall. Located on the first floor is the parlor, sitting room, nursery, servants' room, butlers/dry goods pantry, and master bedroom. The second floor contains four bedrooms that were used by the children. The kitchen is located behind the home, separated from the rest of the house.

August's History To-Go box features the history of the 1987 Poe House. You can come by the museum starting Tuesday, August 6, 2024, to pick up a box (limit 2 per family). Supplies are limited, so come early. Click the links below to download the box's content if you can't pick up a kit in person.

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