The bountiful cultural heritage of Rhode Island shines proudly through a rather underrated nineteenth century poetess and lifelong resident of Providence, whose simple presence was compared to poetry itself by one of America’s greatest and well known poets, Edgar Allan Poe. Sarah Helen Power Whitman was engaged to Poe briefly in 1848, and is usually remembered solely for that connection. However, she was a gifted poetess, essayist, social reformer, and considered one of America’s first female literary critics. She was born in Providence to the Power family, whose name was rooted here after Roger Williams founded the colony in 1636.
Whitman rallied behind women’s suffrage, abolition, and animal welfare. She consistently promoted the city’s art and heritage scene. Whitman wrote the dedication for Swan Point Cemetery, Shakespeare Hall Theater, the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, and various other academic and cultural institutions throughout the city. The integrity of Providence’s social standing remained important to her until her dying day, when she willed thousands of dollars from her estate to African American orphans and to the Rhode Island Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Sarah Helen Whitman went against the grains of her time and she never wavered in defending what was morally right.
Just ten days before her death, Sarah Helen Whitman inscribed a copy of her first volume of poems and gifted it to her friend. That inscription read: “Dear friend, whose presence often made the glow of life’s calm evening beautiful, elate! With cheerful thoughts, I will not linger now to say ‘Goodnight,’ but for a moment in calm faith await to say ‘Good morning’ by the Golden Gate.” Whitman died at 9:30 P.M. on June 27, 1878. She was 75 years old.
Today, we honor Sarah Helen Whitman on the 145th anniversary of her death, in observation and mourning of a cherished life having left this world a bit brighter than she found it.
Ave atque vale.
First and foremost, I would like to thank local historian, tour guide, and actress, Catherine Hurst, who has portrayed Whitman at every wreath-laying ceremony we have done so far. Cathy is a wealth of knowledge and puts one hundred ten percent into everything she does. This year, Cathy reserved some of Whitman’s materials at the John Hay library and compiled a tailored selection of readings that would be performed at the ceremony. Unfortunately, we had to cancel this year’s program due to inclement weather. However, we are saving the program for next year with the hope of coming back even bigger and better! This annual tribute would be nothing without Cathy.
I would also like to thank Sherri Weaver Poe for travelling here from Maryland for two ceremonies so far. She has graciously shared her knowledge of Poe and treated the audience with readings from his works. This year, Sherri had something very special prepared and we are so excited to share it with you all at next year’s program!
I want to thank the director of North Burial Ground, Annalisa Heppner, for always accommodating us and promoting the ceremony.
And finally, a huge thanks to Jeff Jerome, curator emeritus formerly with the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. Jeff and I met when I was just a fourteen year old Poe fan visiting the Poe House with my mom. Since then, Jeff has served as my mentor, fueling my passion for Poe and supporting me at every turn. He has attended this annual ceremony since the very beginning to speak to the audience about the many myths surrounding Poe. There are really no words to say how much his support has meant to me over the years. Jeff is responsible for gathering fans from around the world to celebrate Edgar Allan Poe through a variety of programs. The integrity of Poe’s legacy has been in great hands with him.
We hope to see you next year for The Fourth Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony with twice the energy in 2024!
Thank you.
Edgar Allan Poe: Rhode Island 