Edgar Allan Poe: Rhode Island

This will be our second annual graveside commemoration of the life and legacy of Sarah Helen Whitman for the 144th anniversary of her death. The event will take place on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 4:00pm at the North Burial Ground in Providence, Rhode Island.

There will be a biographical overview of Whitman’s life and times with details regarding her infamous courtship with Edgar Allan Poe that took place right here in Providence!

I’m pleased to announce the following guests of honor:

-Local historian, tour guide, and actress, Catherine Hurst will be reprising her role as Mrs. Whitman to recite selected poems from her body of works.

-Poet and Poe Scholar Sherri Weaver Poe will be joining us from Maryland as a guest reader.

-And finally, Jeff Jerome, curator emeritus formerly with The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum in Baltimore will be honoring us again this year as our guest speaker!

Following these segments will be information on Whitman’s death and funeral, closing with a wreath laying tribute on her grave. Guests will also be able to pay their own tribute to the poetess by choosing from an assortment of provided greens and flowers to place on her grave.

All questions for myself and the guests of honor will be welcomed at the end of the program!

The gates of the cemetery are closed and locked at 6:30pm, so you’ll have time to explore after the event. There is a lot of history and beauty to behold at the North Burial Ground!

To find the location of the event (Sarah Helen Whitman’s grave) just head to the right of the fork after entering the front gates of the cemetery and follow the road named Eastern Ave straight through until you see Dahlia Path (or people/cars). There is also free parking on North Main Street where you can walk through North Burial Ground’s Rochambeau gates and travel on foot just a short distance to the approximate location of the event.

This annual remembrance is one of the biggest celebrations of Sarah Helen Whitman’s life and legacy in recent history! You won’t want to miss it.

If you have any questions prior to the event, please feel free to reach out on this page, email me at levi@edgarallanpoeri.com, or visit the official event page on Facebook here.

Hope to see you there!