The Mysterious Arrival

Edgar and Pluto are the resident black cats at the Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia. These siblings appeared in the museum's garden on Halloween in 2012, as if by magic. A museum curator and gardener discovered three kittens - two brothers and a sister. The trio had a family structure that matched Poe's own.

Names with Literary Significance

The cats received names tied to the famous author and his works. Edgar was named after Edgar Allan Poe himself. Pluto got his name from a character in Poe's story "The Black Cat." The sister, Katarina, was named after Poe's own cat who would sit on his shoulder while he wrote.

Katarina found a home with a tour guide, while Edgar and Pluto stayed and made the Enchanted Garden their territory.

Telling the Brothers Apart

How can visitors tell these black cats apart? Pluto has a white patch on his chest. This mark is the same distinctive feature found on the second cat in the story that gave Pluto his name.

Personalities Matching Their Namesakes

The brothers have personalities that match their names. Pluto is more sociable and enjoys meeting museum visitors. Edgar takes after Poe himself - he's moodier and often prefers to be alone.

A Decade of Service

Over the past ten years, these black cats have become an important part of the museum. They work as greeters, guards, and even tour guides. Their presence adds to the charm of this special place dedicated to literature.

Visitors to the Edgar Allan Poe Museum can enjoy not only the exhibits about the famous writer but also the company of these literary felines who have made the museum their home.