Located in downtown Boston, Massachusetts, this home is considered to be Poe’s inspiration for his short story The Fall of the House of Usher. The home was originally the property of the Usher family, who were well-known for being among the first to sell and print books in the thirteen colonies ("Hezekiah Usher"). One of the earliest homes built in the colonies, the Usher house was constructed in 1684 over a "half-cleared pasture" and grew into a large manor-like estate from a small house (Watkins & Rossiter 91).

“I have learned that even the smallest house can be a home.” – Henry David Thoreau, Walden

“This august building was hardly difficult for me to locate, its looming spire being ever-visible wherever one goes in Salisbury.” (pg. 27)

…I glanced back over my shoulder on a number of occasions and was met each time by a view of the sun setting behind that great spire.” (pg. 28)