Nov 14, 1973
National Register of Historic Places - Old Stone House (Poe Museum)
Statement of Significant: The Old Stone House survives as Richmond's only remaining colonial dwelling, and a rare example, for the region, of colonial-period stone construction. Located in the heart of Richmond's oldest neighborhood, Shockoe Valley, the house's date of completion and early history are uncertain, but architectural form and details suggest a date around the second quarter of the eighteenth century. The building's indefinite past, quaintness, and obvious great age have made it the subject of many popular legends, some of which still persist. An inscription, "IR," in the stone- work has been said to stand for Jacobus Rex, leading to the conclusion that the house was built before James II's dethronement in 1688. Notable figures including Jefferson and Lafayette have been claimed as visitors. James Monroe is supposed to have boarded there. Claims have even been made that the house served as Washington's headquarters, despite the fact that Washington was never in Richmond during the Revolution. Definite records of the property first appear in 1783 when the city land book of that year lists it as being the residence of its owner, Samuel Ege, a local inspector of flour. Ege may have inherited the property from his father Jacob Ege, a tailor and sometimes cooper of German origin, who owned property in the neighborhood as early as 1749. It does not appear that Jacob Ege ever lived in the Old Stone House, however. The house passed down through various relatives of the Ege family until 1911 when it was put up for auction. Threatened with demolition, the house was acquired by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Granville G. Valentine. It was then rented as an antique shop, and following a subsequent period of vacancy Mr. and Mrs. Archer Jones conceived the idea of adapting the house as a shrine to Edgard Allan Poe whose youth was spent in Richmond. No suitable memorial to one of the city's most famous citizens existed at the time. The Poe Foundation was organized in 1921, and the house was open to the public as the Poe Museum the following year. Unavoidably, the Old Stone House's use as a shrine honoring the famous author has led many to the mistaken impression that Poe lived in the house. As a resident of the city, he probably was familiar with it, but there is no other connection. Today the house is exhibited by the Poe Foundation, Inc. as a colonial residence, and adjacent buildings house Poe memorabilia. The Foundation's dual emphasis on Poe's life and early Richmond history has made the Old Stone House one of the city's most popular museums.
National Register of Historic Places - Old Stone House (Poe Museum)
Statement of Significant: The Old Stone House survives as Richmond's only remaining colonial dwelling, and a rare example, for the region, of colonial-period stone construction. Located in the heart of Richmond's oldest neighborhood, Shockoe Valley, the house's date of completion and early history are uncertain, but architectural form and details suggest a date around the second quarter of the eighteenth century. The building's indefinite past, quaintness, and obvious great age have made it the subject of many popular legends, some of which still persist. An inscription, "IR," in the stone- work has been said to stand for Jacobus Rex, leading to the conclusion that the house was built before James II's dethronement in 1688. Notable figures including Jefferson and Lafayette have been claimed as visitors. James Monroe is supposed to have boarded there. Claims have even been made that the house served as Washington's headquarters, despite the fact that Washington was never in Richmond during the Revolution. Definite records of the property first appear in 1783 when the city land book of that year lists it as being the residence of its owner, Samuel Ege, a local inspector of flour. Ege may have inherited the property from his father Jacob Ege, a tailor and sometimes cooper of German origin, who owned property in the neighborhood as early as 1749. It does not appear that Jacob Ege ever lived in the Old Stone House, however. The house passed down through various relatives of the Ege family until 1911 when it was put up for auction. Threatened with demolition, the house was acquired by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Granville G. Valentine. It was then rented as an antique shop, and following a subsequent period of vacancy Mr. and Mrs. Archer Jones conceived the idea of adapting the house as a shrine to Edgard Allan Poe whose youth was spent in Richmond. No suitable memorial to one of the city's most famous citizens existed at the time. The Poe Foundation was organized in 1921, and the house was open to the public as the Poe Museum the following year. Unavoidably, the Old Stone House's use as a shrine honoring the famous author has led many to the mistaken impression that Poe lived in the house. As a resident of the city, he probably was familiar with it, but there is no other connection. Today the house is exhibited by the Poe Foundation, Inc. as a colonial residence, and adjacent buildings house Poe memorabilia. The Foundation's dual emphasis on Poe's life and early Richmond history has made the Old Stone House one of the city's most popular museums.
Nov 14, 1973
Posted Date
Jul 13, 2023
Historical Record Date
Nov 14, 1973
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
