I took a tour of the Poe Museum in Richmond, VA with members of the Sisters in Crime - Central Virginia. We went to see the new exhibit, "The Birth of the Mystery."

Here's what I learned...

1. Poe died at 40 in Baltimore a few days before he was supposed to be married.

2. He wrote "Annabel Lee" and planned for it to be published with his wedding announcement. Instead, it was published with his obituary.

3. Poe lived in Richmond, VA for 1/3 of his life.

4. The Richmond Public Library (main branch) on East Franklin Street sits on the site of two authors' residences. Edgar Allan Poe and James Branch Cabell's homes were once on the site.

5. Poe's "Murders in the Rue Morgue" was the first detective story. Go see the exhibit. It's got great information on the mystery, and some amazing first editions.

The Poe Museum also has a Facebook campaign to get John Cusak (who's playing Poe in an upcoming movie) to come to Virginia. According to Twitter postings, the actor has agreed to come.