Edward Gorey is a “famous guy that nobody heard of,” as the tour guides at the Edward Gorey house say.
He is a talented illustrator and author who created a world where Victorian aesthetics meet dark humor.
His pen-and-ink drawings are detailed; you need a magnifying glass to show children meeting unfortunate ends, mysterious creatures lurking in corners, and adults with expressions.
It is located at 8 Strawberry Lane in Yarmouth Port on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
It’s not another grand mansion but a classic Cape Cod home that suited him.
After his death in 2000, this place transformed into a museum that celebrates his artistic output and his “unique” collecting habits.
The museum opened in 2002.
Here in this journey, we’re gonna peek into the Edward Gorey house, his life, his art, his cats, and how this unassuming house became a treasure trove of the macabre and wonderful.
So, let’s go.
What is Edward Gorey famous for?
He was born in Chicago in 1925. While others played baseball, Edward was reading Bram Stoker’s “Dracula“.
According to the museum curator Gregory Hischak in an interview with The Boston Globe, “Gorey was developing his view of the world from a young age”.
His drawings are unrecognizable. The bright black lines, Victorian and Edwardian settings, and characters who look like they haven’t smiled in decades.
“The Gashlycrumb Tinies” is his most famous work, an alphabet book where children meet horrible ends.
Gorey worked as a professional illustrator for Doubleday Anchor books in the 1950s.
Then you may have spotted his work without knowing it, his animations has been in the PBS show “Mystery!”.
What is the history of Edward Gorey’s house?
The house at 8 Strawberry Lane wasn’t always known as the Edward Gorey House.
It was built in the 1800s, it was a sea captain’s home for Cape Cod.
According to local historical records shared by the Yarmouth Historical Society, “The property maintains many architectural features of that era”.
Gorey bought this place in 1986. He named it “The Elephant House” not because it’s big, but because of his elephant collection.
He collected elephant figurines and fur coats and rocks.
For 14 years, this house was where Gorey created art, entertained friends, watched his beloved series on TV, and cared for his cats.
After he passed away in 2000, his house decided to honor his memory by turning it into a museum.
The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust opened the doors to the public in 2002.
Inside The Edward Gorey House: A Guide Into the Artist’s Cape Cod Home
Step through the door, and you’re not in Kansas anymore.
Every room tells a story which is dedicated to his story.
The house isn’t big, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for with a pure, undiluted energy on every surface, in every corner.
Exhibits and Manuscripts
The best part of the visit is Gorey’s original artwork.
The fine pen lines look amazing when you realize he created them without magnification.
The museum rotates displays of his original manuscripts, drawings, and sketches.
His workspace remains as he left, pens arranged, papers stacked in an organized way.
According to a PBS documentary, “Gorey could produce a finished illustration in a single sitting, making mistakes or needing to redraw sections” .
Remember to look at the cabinet displaying his personal items like the signature gold rings he wore on every finger, his glasses, and other bits and pieces.
Seasonal Exhibitions
The museum keeps things fresh with changing exhibitions that highlight different aspects of Gorey’s work.
One year they focus on his theater designs, while another showcases his commercial illustrations.
The 2023 exhibition “Hapless Children: Drawings from Mr. Gorey’s Neighborhood” brought together his dark humorous work featuring children in.
As museum director Rick Jones told The Cape Cod Times, “We try to create exhibitions that would make Edward chuckle, it is a perfect mix of the macabre and that defined his work”.
The Influence of Cat
Gorey’s has a separate love for cats and home.
At one point, he had six felines roaming around the house.
The influence on his art is at every corner, cats peek from corners in his illustrations, in books like “The Epileptic Bicycle,” and cause the same charming energy in his work.
The museum celebrates his cat connection with photos of his pets and stories about how they influenced his routine.
His cats’ names were quirky just like everything else about him.
The Elephant House
The elephant collection he loves.
You’ll spot the pachyderms throughout the house like many figurines ranging from small to massive, but bigger than you’d expect.
The nickname “Elephant House”, and now it’s part of the museum’s identity.
What’s fascinating is how the collections reveal Gorey’s eye for the unusual.
According to art historian Mark Dery in his biography “Born to Be Posthumous,” “Gorey’s collecting wasn’t random accumulation but it was curation of objects that tell about his aesthetic sensibilities”.
Planning Your Visit to Edward Gorey House: Here’s the Details and What to Expect
Thinking about making the trip to Gorey house, then you will definitely love it.
It’s not your regular museum experience but it’s like visiting the home of your eccentric uncle who happens to be a genius.
Location and Directions
You’ll find the Edward Gorey House at 8 Strawberry Lane in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts.
It’s on Cape Cod, about 1.5 hours from Boston.
The museum is in a quiet residential neighborhood.
Look for the sign out front with Gorey’s distinctive lettering.
Opening Hours and Days
The museum runs seasonally, open from April through December.
They’re closed during the winter months because of the Cape Cod winter.
During the season, they’re open Thursday through Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM, and Sunday from 12 PM to 4 PM.
Always check on their official website before going to visit it.
Ticket Pricing
Admission prices are reasonable compared to big museums.
As of 2023, tickets run about $8 for adults, with discounts for seniors and students.
Kids under 6 get in free though parents want to consider if the kids are ready for Gorey’s humor.
The Gift Shop
The gift shop is a must visit if you are his fan.
You’ll find books including a sold-out copy of “The Gashlycrumb Tinies”, prints, postcards, t-shirts, and all sorts of Gorey-themed goodies.
The most popular items according to gift shop manager Susan Clarke, “The stuffed versions of characters from ‘The Doubtful Guest’ get sold out.
Everyone wants that penguin-like creature in the scarf for their home”.
Educational Programs
The museum offers various programs throughout the year, including lectures, children’s activities and special tours.
They run a popular scavenger hunt where visitors search for the 26 children from “The Gashlycrumb Tinies”.
For teachers, the museum offers resources to help introduce students to Gorey’s unique art style and storytelling techniques.
Not all his work is appropriate for young kids but his drawing technique and masterful compositions offer valuable learning opportunities.
Reviews and Experience of Visitors
Visitors rate the Edward Gorey House on travel sites.
What they love is the intimate scale and the feeling that they’ve stepped into Gorey’s world.
One visitor wrote on TripAdvisor: “It’s like peeking into the brain of a brilliant, twisted genius.
The staff loves Gorey and shares many stories you won’t find anywhere else.” Another noted: “Not a huge place, but we spent an hour soaking it all in.”
What is Edward Gorey cause of death?
Edward Gorey died on April 15, 2000, at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Massachusetts.
The cause was a heart attack. He was 75 years old.
According to The New York Times obituary, “He had been in poor health for months following a heart attack earlier that year” .
In Gorey fashion, he appreciated the macabre timing, tax day.
His death left a void in the artistic world, but his influence continues to grow, inspiring filmmakers like Tim Burton and illustrators to the dark side.
What is the Edward Gorey house envelope contest?
The Edward Gorey House has a creative envelope contest that would make the master grin.
Gorey was known for sending decorated envelopes to friends and family, small works of art in themselves that made it through the postal system.
The museum invites artists of all ages to create their own Gorey-inspired envelopes and mail in for judging.
According to museum director Rick Jones, “We receive hundreds of entries from around the world.
Winners receive Gorey merchandise and the honor of having their work displayed at the museum.
Past winning envelopes have featured everything from pen-and-ink drawings to 3D elements.
Conclusion
The Edward Gorey House isn’t only a museum but it’s a doorway into the mind of an artist who created his own universe.
From the illustrations to the collections of oddities, every corner of this Cape Cod home reflects his vision.
What makes this place special is how personal it feels.
It is not like the massive art museums, the Edward Gorey House invites you in, sits you down, and tells you stories about the man who once lived there, his cats, his collections, his routines.
Whether you’re a fan or discovering his work, the house offers a chance to understand the artist behind the distinctive crosshatched drawings and grim tales.
As one museum volunteer put it, “People come in knowing his work from book covers or PBS, but they leave knowing Edward.”
FAQs
What did Edward Gorey collect?
Edward Gorey was a collector of almost everything. His notable collections included elephant figurines, vintage fur coats, rings for his fingers, and books. He also collected rocks, beach stones, salt and pepper shakers, and Victorian-era photographs.
Where is Edward Gorey buried?
Edward Gorey was cremated after his death in 2000. In keeping with his wishes, his ashes were scattered in various locations that were meaningful to him, including at sea off Cape Cod. There is no grave or traditional burial location to visit.
Which Edward Gorey book is the most famous?
“The Gashlycrumb Tinies” (1963) is considered Gorey’s famous work. This macabre alphabet book features 26 children meeting unfortunate ends, each corresponding to a letter: “A is for Amy who fell down the stairs, B is for Basil assaulted by bears…” It captures the blend of dark humor, Victorian sensibility, and illustration.
Is Edward Gorey his real name?
Yes, Edward Gorey was his real name, Edward St. John Gorey. However, he published under anagrams of his name, creating playful pseudonyms like Ogdred Weary, Dogear Wryde, Ms. Regera Dowdy, and Eduard Blutig.