Providence Athenaeum

This is the fourth oldest library in America, and the oldest one in Rhode Island.  It was founded in 1753 as a subscription library, and it is said that Edgar Allan Poe carried on an illicit affair with the poet Sarah Whitman within the book stacks.  They were engaged to be married and their nuptials were even announced in a Connecticut newspaper, but Sarah’s mother put the kyebosh on it when she found out that Poe was also having an affair with another woman at the same time.

It was fun to wander around and wonder if I was standing in the very same spot that Edgar Allan Poe used to smooch his girl.

Bonus shot:

A book authored by Poe, in the same library where he carried on an affair with poet Sarah Whitman

Monday 11 June, 2007
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8 responses so far...

  1. Christine at 2007-06-14 09:58, said:

    Very doll!

  2. Jeff at 2007-06-19 00:45, said:

    Beautiful shot…with good colors. The story is interesting too

  3. Germaine at 2007-06-19 01:36, said:

    Good shot. Good story.

  4. Marc at 2007-06-21 00:57, said:

    Edgar Allan Poe has always been a favorite of mine. I just picked up a copy of selected works and have been working my way through it. Thanks for the mini history lesson.

  5. Raymond at 2007-07-09 03:46, said:

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  6. Anastasia at 2007-07-15 05:12, said:

    Nice site! Big thanx to webmaster!
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  7. Joakim at 2007-07-16 18:40, said:

    jador moi je le met dans mes favoris!!! tro coooool
    ;)

  8. Joseph at 2007-07-21 13:12, said:

    ah non c bon
    ;)