Join us in Providence’s historic North Burial Ground for our third graveside commemoration of the life and legacy of Sarah Helen Whitman for the 145th anniversary of her death: Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 3:00pm.
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 Whitman’s 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 flowers to place on her grave.
The gates of the cemetery are closed and locked at 6:30pm, so you will have plenty of time to explore after the event. Please be prepared to leave when the staff make their closing rounds.
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 available on North Main Street where you can enter through the Rochambeau Gates. See the pink dot on the map to help you find the location of the event from wherever you arrive.
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 email me: levi@edgarallanpoeri.com
Here is a link to the event page on Facebook with further information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1008219383676932/?ref=newsfeed
We hope to see you there!
Edgar Allan Poe: Rhode Island 