Power Street runs between the very edge of the Seekonk River at Gano Park and South Main Street. During my walking tours, patrons will usually ask me if Power Street was named after Sarah Helen Whitman’s ancestors. This question comes after they learn about Whitman’s paternal side, the Powers, and their roots in the city after Roger Williams founded the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in 1636.
Power Street is listed in city directories as early as 1824; however, I am certain that the street predates that year. The 1857 directory contains a section on “Origin of Names of the Streets” describing Power Street “from the ancestors of the late Nicholas Power, of the firm of Blodget and Power, for many years merchants in this town.”
So the thorough answer to this question is yes, Power Street is named after the ancestors of Sarah Helen Whitman.
January 19th not only marks Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday, but the birthday of his brief flame, Sarah Helen Whitman.
This year, I was able to honor both Poe and Whitman in a virtual birthday tribute to Poe organized by Jeff Jerome, curator emeritus formerly with the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. Jerome has been orchestrating birthday celebrations for Poe since 1982, and in recent years, through virtual segments streamed over the course of the day. His program is viewed live by thousands of people from around the world!
For part of Jerome’s 2024 program, he interviewed me about Poe, Whitman, and their romance in Providence. You can watch that interview here. I encourage you to search that YouTube channel to watch the other segments that make up this year’s program.
Happy 215th birthday, Edgar Allan Poe! And a happy 221st birthday to you, Sarah Helen Whitman, wherever you two may be. Ave atque vale!
This poem was written by Sarah Helen Whitman in December of 1867. “Santa Claus,” along with “Christmas Eve” (see previous post), were included in Whitman’s posthumous edition of poetry titled, Poemsby Sarah Helen Whitman, published in 1879.
A health to good old Santa Claus, And to his reindeer bold, Whose hoofs are shod with eider-down, Whose horns are tipped with gold.
He comes from utmost fairy-land Across the wintry snows; He makes the fir-tree and the spruce To blossom like the rose.
Over the quaint old gables, Over the windy ridge, By turret wall and chimney tall, He guides his fairy sledge;
Along the sleeping house-tops Its silver runners trend, All loaded down with wonder-books And tales without an end.
He steals upon the slumbers Of little rose-lipped girls, And lays his waxen dollies down Beside their golden curls.
He scatters blessings on his way And sugar-coated plums. He robs the sluggard of his rest, With trumpets, guns, and drums.
Small feet, before the dawn of day, Are marching to and fro, Drums beat to arms through all the house, And penny trumpets blow.
A health to brave old Santa Claus, And to his reindeer bold, Whose hoofs are shod with eider-down, Whose horns are tipped with gold.
He tells us of the yule-log That blazed in Saxon halls, Of the marchpane and the mistletoe, And the minstrels’ merry calls;
Of Christmas candles burning bright In ages long ago; Those long dark ages when the world Turned round so very slow.
He comes from utmost fairy-land Across the wintry snows; He makes the fir-tree and the spruce To blossom like the rose.
He lingers till the Christmas bells, With sweet and solemn chime, Come sounding o’er the centuries Through years of war and crime.
Ring out, ring out, sweet Christmas bells! Ring loud and silver clear! Ring peace on earth, good will to man, Till all the world shall hear!
A poem by Sarah Helen Whitman. Written in dedication to her friends in New Rochelle, New York, in December of 1866.
Let fall the curtains, drop the shades; Behind the hills the twilight fades; The sullen rain-drops, heavily, In the dank, drooping hemlocks lie; The fir-tree in the rounding park Loom statelier through the gathering dark, And reddening in the starless night The tall church windows blaze with light. The north wind whistles down the glades; Let fall the curtains, drop the shades, And, while the fire-light’s glowing gloom Casts fitful shadows through the room, Gather around the ruddy blaze To welcome in the holidays.
See Haidee’s dark brown eyes grow bright As diamonds in the dancing light, To hear the merry bells that ring In the tall steeples, —ding dong ding; While Rena’s songs sound sweet and rare As music heard in mountain air, And Ethel, with cheeks abloom, Goes dancing, dancing round the room, Or softly lingers at my knee To watch the wondrous Christmas Tree.
Sweet Christmas Eve! The holidays May pass, the firelight’s cheerful blaze Die out, the little waltzing feet To other mazy measures beat, And other Christmas Trees may spread Their fragrant branches o’er my head, And fairy fruit for us may fall In many a distant bower and hall, And Santa Claus at Christmas tide May down the roaring chimneys ride, And chapel bells with solemn chime Ring in the Christ-child’s holy time, And tell to all the wondering Earth The mystic story of his birth; But memory long shall fondly dwell On this blithe eve at New Rochelle, And fairer deem our Christmas Tree Than all that have been or may be, And keep the birthnight it embalms Sweet as the breath of heavenly palms.
I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year! Thank you for your support. -Levi L. Leland, creator, admin, and guide: edgarallanpoeri.com and A Walking Tour of Poe’s Providence.
The time is finally upon us! The 2023 tour schedule has been posted. Follow this link to Eventbrite to reserve your spot. I have a couple of dates in September and November, and multiple dates in October. Hope to see you on the East Side!
The Whitman residence at 88 Benefit Street, meeting and ending place of the tour.
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!
Due to safety concerns surrounding the forecasted rain and thunderstorms, we have made the decision to cancel the ceremony this year. Check back here on June 27th for a written tribute to Sarah Helen Whitman on the anniversary of her death.
I am sorry for all of those who were looking forward to the event. Next year we will return with an even bigger and better program!
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
Celebrate National Poetry Month this April with North Burial Ground and the Roger Williams Park Museum of Natural History & Planetarium at the Betsey Williams Cottage! We are hosting a special afternoon performance of “Remembering Poe.” Join us on April 8th at 2pm in the Betsey Williams Cottage at Roger Williams Park.
Meet Sarah Helen Whitman, a descendant of one of the first families of Providence, as she courageously takes on the daunting challenge of defending the reputation of her one-time fiancée: Edgar Allan Poe. Like Poe, Whitman was an extremely intelligent poet and critic. Hear her recall in her own words what it was like to be courted by “The Raven” and her heroic efforts to counteract the libelous Poe biographer Rufus Griswold.
Whitman is performed by actress Helen McKenna, who retired from the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site. Collaborating with McKenna to help provide context will be up and coming Providence Whitman scholar, Levi Lionel Leland.
North Burial Ground regulars will know that Sarah Helen Whitman is one of our favorite “residents” of the cemetery. We are so excited to be able to bring you this performance and chance to encounter Whitman in a new way. We are hosting the event in partnership with our friends at the RWP Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in the Betsey Williams Cottage at Roger Williams Park (we said it twice, so you all note that this event is not taking place at the cemetery). Sarah Helen Whitman and Betsey Williams were contemporaries, and while we don’t know for sure that Whitman ever visited Williams at the cottage, we are excited to present this program to you in an amazing historic space where Whitman would have felt right at home.
This program is free, but an RSVP is required as space is limited. To RSVP, please email northburialground@providenceri.gov by April 4th to reserve your space.
Edgar Allan Poe: Rhode Island 