The museum holds one of the world's largest collections of original manuscripts, letters, first editions, memorabilia and personal belongings.

The museum features the life and career of Poe by documenting his accomplishments with pictures, relics, and verse, and focusing on his many years in Richmond.

The Poe Museum is located at the "Old Stone House", built circa 1740[3][4] and cited as the oldest original residential building in Richmond.

Byrd's land grant (now known as Richmond) in the company of the family of his fiancée, Maria Dorothea Scheerer, whom he later married; the house was a "Home for the Bride".

[3] Samuel Ege, the son of Jacob and a Richmond flour inspector, owned the house in 1782 when it first appeared on a tax register.

Citizens asked the city council to erect a statue of Poe on Monument Avenue, but were turned down because he was deemed a disreputable character.

[14] The New York Times called 1909 a banner year for acknowledgement of the importance of Poe, mentioning the Richmond museum.

[16]Actor Vincent Price, who had played in numerous film roles based on Poe stories, was a noted fan of the author.