The Poe Toaster is dead, murdered at the grave of Edgar Allan Poe and his killer is on the loose. Solve the mystery for Poe’s birthday!
For decades, a mysterious figure left a tribute of cognac and roses at literary horror master Edgar Allan Poe’s grave in Baltimore. In the final years, strangely worded messages were left alongside the mysterious visitor’s gift. The tradition ended abruptly, with no clue as to the fate of the anonymous “Poe Toaster.”
Or at least… that’s what the killer wanted the world to believe!
January 19, on the anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe’s 215th birthday, it’s time to reveal the truth: the legendary Poe Toaster is dead, murdered at the grave of Edgar Allan Poe! Newly uncovered evidence reveals that before his death the Poe Toaster knew he was being hunted. Unable to implicate his would-be assassin without revealing his own identity, The Poe Toaster left clues in plain sight: encoded in his final tribute messages at the grave of Edgar Allan Poe. Before the trail is lost forever and the killer escapes justice, Poe House has enlisted the help of codebreakers at the NSA’s National Cryptologic Museum to help us unmask the murderer!
Crack the code! Find the killer!
Join fellow sleuths at Westminster Hall & Burying Ground as we return to the scene of the crime. Together you must solve puzzles and codes of increasing difficulty, then tackle the most confounding mystery of all: who killed the Poe Toaster? Secret writing within the cryptic messages at the grave of the poet will be revealed to the world. Help us crack the Poe Toaster’s secret code!
Unorthodox methods of investigation will be needed to solve the heinous act as it is believed he has infiltrated Edgar Allan Poe’s Birthday Celebration at Westminster Hall. Are you brave enough to solve this mystery before the murderer escapes? Investigate secret writing, solve befuddling puzzles, and most of all, have fun doing it!
“There are some secrets which do not permit themselves to be told. Men die nightly in their beds, wringing the hands of ghostly confessors, and looking them piteously in the eyes — die with despair of heart and convulsion of throat, on account of the hideousness of mysteries which will not suffer themselves to be revealed.” ― Edgar Allan Poe, The Man of the Crowd
Join Poe Baltimore, the NSA’s National Cryptologic Museum, Poe’s Magic Theatre, and Rent-a-Tour for a special birthday celebration for Edgar Allan Poe, Friday, January 19, 2024, at the famed Westminster Hall & Burying Grounds in Baltimore, Maryland (where Poe is buried.) This party, complete with cake and toasty refreshments on a cold January evening, will include a special mystery game and a tour of the historic Catacombs. Attendees will solve puzzles in the old cemetery where Poe is buried and follow in the footsteps of a killer.
General Admission includes:
Murder mystery hosted by the NSA’s National Cryptologic Museum Complimentary party refreshments & hot cocoa Guided tour of Westminster Hall & Burying Grounds, including the catacombs Grave-side birthday toast to Edgar Allan Poe
Visitors from around the world visit Baltimore every year to pay tribute outside at Edgar Allan Poe’s grave on his birthday. Join us inside historic Westminster Hall for a birthday party with fellow Poe fans. On this special evening we will also unveil the winners of the 2023-24 Young Saturday ‘Visiter’ Awardsand silent auction featuring Poe-themed photography from the Baltimore Camera Club. Proceeds benefit The Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum.
NOTE: while this event is family friendly, the theme includes violent imagery and a cemetery tour. Attendee discretion is advised. And bundle up! We follow the clues wherever they may lead, perhaps even into the frigid night air.
LIMITED VIP packages are available that includes early entry and a Bus Tour of Edgar Allan Poe’s Baltimore!
Explore the enduring mystery surrounding Poe’s tragic death on a special tour of Poe’s final days in Baltimore. The 60-minute tour ticket includes stops at four important Poe Places around Baltimore, including Poe’s graves (he has two!) plus the sites where Poe was found and passed away.
BUS TOUR ITINERARY (1 hour)
The Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum (photo stop) Gunner’s Hall historical perspective The Hospital where Poe died (photo stop) Westminster Hall & Burying Ground including two Poe graves, graveyard, & catacombs tour Bus Tour will leave Westminster Hall at 6:15 PM (early!) Tours meet at Poe’s grave, Fayette Street entrance to the cemetery.
Tours are presented by Poe Baltimore, the National Cryptologic Museum at the National Security Agency, Poe’s Magic Theatre, and Baltimore Rent-A-Tour in Baltimore, MD. Young Saturday ‘Visiter’ Awards presented by the Baltimore National Heritage Area and Poe Baltimore. Silent auction photography presented by the Baltimore Camera Club, the oldest continuously operating camera club in the United States. Proceeds from this evening benefit the historic Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum and Poe Baltimore, a 501c3 organization. Visit PoeBaltimore.org to learn more!
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