A book of photographs about one Bronx park gets its talk in a house that has stood in the borough for about two centuries. Photographer Ira Merritt will discuss Ephemeral Light, his book of original black-and-white images of Van Cortlandt Park, at Poe Cottage, 2640 Grand Concourse, on Saturday, November 7, at 3 p.m.

The Bronx County Historical Society, which runs the cottage, is hosting the talk. According to the society, the photographs in the book work through three ideas: time, loss and renewal. Copies of the book will be on sale at the cottage, and the society asks guests to register in advance through its website.

A Bronx park, photographed in black and white

Van Cortlandt Park sits at the northwest corner of the borough, a few miles up from Fordham, and it holds forest, wetlands, a lake and long trails. Merritt's book treats it in monochrome, which strips the park down to light, shape and texture. The talk is a chance to hear a photographer explain how a single place, photographed over time, became a book.

Poe Cottage is a small wooden farmhouse that the society dates to roughly 1810 to 1830. Edgar Allan Poe moved in during the spring of 1846 with his wife, Virginia, and his mother-in-law, Maria Clemm, renting the house from John Valentine for $100 a year. The society notes that Poe wrote Eureka: A Prose Poem there. The cottage is owned by NYC Parks, supported by the Historic House Trust of New York City, and has been operated as a historic house museum by the Bronx County Historical Society since 1975.

More at the cottage this month

Saturday's talk is one of several November programs at the cottage.

  • Bad Readers Book Qlub, Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. The November group is reading At the Dark End of the Street, a history of the civil rights movement that runs from Rosa Parks to the rise of Black Power. The society has a limited stack of copies, handed out first come, first served, and readers who own the book can bring it. This is the club's last book of the year; it returns in March. Sign-up is through the society's Luma page.
  • Free Closet and Open Mic, Saturday, November 21, at 4 p.m. The society, Poetry House and the Norwood Community Library are stocking a free closet to help Bronx residents stay warm this winter, with an open mic alongside. Donations requested: gently worn or new coats, sweaters, hats, scarves, sweats, pants and gloves; new socks and underwear; hand warmers and ear muffs; and diapers, pads and wipes. To drop off items or volunteer, email norwoodcommunitylibrary@gmail.com.

Visiting Poe Cottage

The cottage is open to the public on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is by suggested donation: $5 for adults and $3 for children and seniors, with free entry for society members. Holders of a New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library or Queens Public Library card can visit free through Culture Pass, and the society says no one is turned away. Private tours outside regular hours are available by emailing poe@poecottage.org or calling 718-881-8900, extension 107.

The cottage stands in Poe Park on the Grand Concourse at East Kingsbridge Road. The B and D trains stop at Kingsbridge Road on the Concourse, a short walk away.

If you go

  • What: Ira Merritt on Ephemeral Light, his black-and-white photographs of Van Cortlandt Park
  • When: Saturday, November 7, 3 p.m.
  • Where: Poe Cottage, 2640 Grand Concourse, the Bronx
  • Register: through the Bronx County Historical Society website
  • Also there: copies of the book for sale

Sources