Bronx's Poe Cottage Restoration Happening on Facebook

Poe Cottage is closed for restoration. You can track the progress on Facebook.

The social network has now engulfed Edgar Allen Poe's last home. It's unclear if the literary giant would have approved. 

Poe Cottage, located in Poe Park on Kingsbridge Road and the Grand Concourse, is currently closed due to restoration work being done, but The Bronx County Historical Society and Historic House Trust of New York have made it easy for the community to observe progress by posting photos on Facebook.

The Bronx County Historical Society has administered Poe Cottage since 1975 and with help from the Historic House Trust are working on renovating the cottage and restoring it to its original appearance. This will be the second major restoration of Poe's old house since 1913.

"Major changes will not be happening," said Angel Hernandez of the Bronx Historical Society. "We are trying to use materials that resemble the ones used 190 years ago as a way of maintaining the original character."

The Historical House Trust's Facebook album, titled "Poe Cottage Restoration," offers detailed photos of the progress made over the past three months. 

"What better way to keep people on point with the progress than with images." said Hernandez

Photos include detailed blueprints of the restoration plan which will be completed in two phases. Phase one will focus on the exterior of the house, including the installation of an accessibility ramp. Phase two will focus on improving the landscaping surrounding the house and include the replacement of shingles and front steps.

The old paint that had been added to the cottage over time is also being striped and replaced with a fresh coat.

According to Hernandez, the progress is moving swiftly and the cottage should be complete by March, just in time for spring, maybe sooner. Until then, the community can continue to follow the progress via Facebook photos.