Sarah Helen Whitman House, Providence

Situated at 88 Benefit Street, this Colonial-style home holds a special place in history as the residence connected to esteemed poet and essayist Sarah Helen Whitman. Built between 1783 and 1793, the southern half of the two-family dwelling was rented by Whitman鈥檚 mother, Anna Power, in 1816. It features a central hall, two interior chimneys, and five rooms, characteristic of Colonial architecture. Its distinctive red exterior, which Whitman reportedly disliked, contrasts sharply with the intricate woodwork inside, a feature she greatly admired.

Sarah Helen Whitman, born in 1803, was a prominent figure in Providence鈥檚 literary and intellectual circles. Her work, infused with themes of transcendentalism, spiritualism, and feminism, solidified her reputation as a leading thinker of her time. Whitman is most famously remembered for her brief engagement to Edgar Allan Poe in 1848. Their courtship unfolded at this Benefit Street home, where Poe was said to be captivated by her intellect and charm. It鈥檚 widely believed that Poe penned the poem 鈥淭o Helen鈥� in her honor, inspired by seeing her tending her rose garden under a moonlit sky.

From its perch, the house offers lovely views of Saint John鈥檚 Cathedral and its historic cemetery. Though privately owned, it continues to attract literary enthusiasts and historians who appreciate its deep ties to Providence鈥檚 cultural and literary heritage.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Providence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Sarah Helen Whitman House
Sight Location: Providence, USA (See walking tours in Providence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Providence Historical Buildings Tour

Walking Tours in Providence, Rhode Island

Create Your Own Walk in Providence

Creating your own self-guided walk in Providence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Brown University Walking Tour

Chief among the iconic landmarks contributing to the cultural atmosphere of Providence, Rhode Island, is Brown University, a prestigious Ivy League institution known for its liberal arts education and vibrant campus life. Founded in 1764, this is the seventh-oldest university in the United States, chartered before the American Revolution.

Brown's historic campus offers a classic New... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Providence Historical Buildings Tour

A beautiful city on the banks of the Providence River, Providence, Rhode Island, is nearly as old as the United States themselves 鈥� founded in 1636. As such, the city has many interesting historical and architectural landmarks worth checking out that tell the story of its past.

Among these, the Providence County Courthouse stands as a symbol of justice and governance. The Old Stone Bank,... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles

Providence Introduction Walking Tour

Along the banks of the Providence River sits one of New England鈥檚 oldest and most storied settlements. Founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a bold dissenter fleeing Massachusetts Bay Colony, it initially began as a sanctuary of religious freedom. Williams believed this haven was revealed through divine mercy鈥攈ence the name 鈥淧rovidence.鈥� Over time, the city grew from its humble beginnings... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles

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