2. The Reading Room

The Reading Room in the Poe House is furnished to emulate his satirized description of rich middle-class decorations in “The Philosophy of furniture.” Poe wrote the essay to make fun of the newly rich and how they spent their money on gaudy decor.

With the ambiance of the dim lighting and surprisingly plush couches, the mockery is lost on visitors as they enjoy reading the massive collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s works, encyclopedias, and biographies or listen to the many renditions of his works in this fancy, old- fashioned room.