Hiram Haines Coffee & Ale House

01/19/2026

Happy Birthday to my good friend Eddy Poe! Read all about his honeymoon here:

10/30/2024

On this day in 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette visited Petersburg as part of his tour of the east coast. He was honored with a parade that led to Poplar Lawn Park where a young and popular local poet, yours truly, Hiram Haines read a poem of welcome (shown below). A few weeks earlier, a large portrait of Lafayette was painted by Samuel Morse, a popular portrait painter of the period. See it in black and white below. (Morse is best known for inventing Morse code years later) Not long after all this, I published my own book of poetry and befriended fellow poet Edgar Allan Poe. In 1836, Poe honeymooned with Virginia Clemm at my Coffee House. Despite a valiant attempt to revive it, the coffee house closed again about a decade ago. Today, sadly, little of its history remains inside. Still, my spirit visits from time to time. The full story can be found in the book, “Edgar Allan Poe’s Petersburg” by my reincarnation.

04/23/2024

Poe's Honeymoon Prints are still available! While Hiram's is gone, you can capture a piece of its history with this fabulous print signed by the artist in the honeymoon suite. Inspired by the site of Poe's 1836 honeymoon with Virginia Clemm, each measures 17 5/8 x 18 3/4 inches. Signed, numbered and dated by Sterling Hundley. They can easily be trimmed to fit a standard size frame. It is the only known depiction of the honeymooners. The original was the focal point of an article about the honeymoon in Richmond magazine in January 2009, to celebrate Poe's 200th anniversary. Printed on 100 lb. paper, museum quality. Comes with a certificate of authenticity and a history of Hiram Haines' Coffee House and the story of Poe's marriage to his cousin Virginia Clemm. Signed copies, $75. Unsigned versions of this same print are also available for $25. Shipping in the U.S. ONLY in a tube for $7. To get yours, send a message to Hiram's reincarnation at [email protected].

01/19/2024

Happy birthday to my friend Eddy Poe! Here are a few memories from one such day in 2012. I remember all the friends seen here lovingly...

12/10/2023

Give Poe for Christmas! Small enough to fit in a stocking. Big enough to make a lasting impression. Find it on Amazon or in a few places right in Petersburg.

12/09/2023

Give Poe for Christmas!
“Poe's Honeymoon” was created in mixed media by renown Richmond artist Sterling Hundley. The original was used for an article about the honeymoon in Richmond magazine.A limited number of signed prints are still available. Signed and numbered in the honeymoon suite, each measures 17 5/8 x 18 3/4 inches. It is the only depiction of the honeymooners. The "death painting" of Virginia is shown at left. It was quickly done after her death when Poe realized he had no image of her. Printed on 100 lb. paper, museum quality. Comes with a certificate of authenticity and a history of Hiram Haines' Coffee House. A limited number of signed prints are available so act quickly. $75 for signed copies, $25 unsigned. Shipped safely in a tube for $7.
NOTE: The prints feature a white border that can be trimmed to fit a standard-size frame.

12/09/2023

During their last night of ownership, Jeff and Bev stayed at Hiram's all night. Then, on the upper level, in the window overlooking the alley, something appeared. Look at the lower pane closely. This is not made up. What you see was an actually there, then gone by morning. Look closely, and wonder....

07/23/2023

Rumors and gossip about Hiram Haines’s past and present abound. So allow me to to set the record straight once and for all. The resurrected Hiram Haines Coffee House opened in 2010 after years of planning, research, expense, and hard work. To that point, only a handful of people suspected that the building was the site of Poe’s honeymoon. And even fewer had ever heard of Hiram. (Thanks to some crumbling pieces of paper in an ante room in city hall, the site was confirmed as authentic.) Despite this, no one had done anything to bring this part of Petersburg history back to life. We did. Once resurrected, with an atmosphere reflecting its history and literary traditions, Hiram’s became a beloved haunt for a diverse group of patrons who appreciated, and loved the atmosphere, the food, (remember the Ravenburger?), the Amontillado, and the live music by the Celtic Band. In time, however, due to a variety of life, health and family issues we had no choice but to close. We sold the building to someone who wanted it keep in in tact, with all of its contents, exactly as it was. He respected the history and planned to continue it, perhaps in a variety of ways. Apparently, and unfortunately, some life issues intervened once again and it was sold to the current owners. Sadly, much of what did remain until then wound up in the contractor’s trash pin, picked over by scavengers. (We had moved from Petersburg, but would gladly have been the primary dumpster divers if we had known this.)
The history that had somehow survived for 200 years is now gone, despite our efforts to prevent it. But now, there’s some consolation in that Hiram’s lives on virtually on the Hiram Haines Coffee and Ale House page, and Hiram’s own page. Hundreds of photographs, many by John Rooney, document what it was, and we will continue to add to the collection. And of course, there’s that book—the one worth stealing—Edgar Allan Poe’s Petersburg. These fb pages, the book, and a great little film by Jesse Vaughn all present Hiram’s in the present, alive and well, as if it never closed. In the world of dreams, perhaps it never did. And, in the memories of those who shared this piece of history for a while it will remain, always treasured.

07/19/2023

It's been a long time. But I'm checking in from Blandford Cemetery to say hello to my old friends. I'll add things from time to time now, so we all can remember and enjoy what was, and what is no more.

10/08/2019

Hello friends! Greetings from heaven. As you know, my coffee house has been closed for a while. (Petersburg is just not what it was in 1829. ) But, I surface with every full moon, and on Halloween. I dine with Eddy Poe once a week. Aaron Burr joins us sometimes (Burr the bore, we call him), and I've become particularly fond of the Marquis de Sade who is allowed a one-day furlough from Hell on Christmas and Jewish holidays. Anyway, enough small talk. I'm a little skint at the moment, so I have a great deal for you...the perfect Halloween gift right here on ebay. These prints were signed by the artist right in my honeymoon suite and are a highly collectible limited edition. I got one for Saint Peter last week. Loves it. So visit my grave in Blandford cemetery, and look for me in the sky. Best, Hiram.

This edition will never be produced again. Fabulous limited edition print, “Poe’s Honeymoon,” signed and numbered in pencil by the celebrated artist, Sterling Hundley, known for his work in Rolling Stone, Virginia Living and other national magazines.

11/24/2015

Winter upstairs...chilling and killing my Annabel Lee...

06/30/2015

Memories of Hiram's.