The Old Corner Bookstore; or Why Is the Most Important Literary Site in Boston A Fast-Food Court

Built in 1718 on the site of Anne Hutchinson’s cottage, the Old Corner Bookstore turned 300 last year with little fanfare or fuss. As one approaches it on the Freedom Trail, one finds its most conspicuous, street-level spaces operating as fast-food restaurants. Only two sentences on a tiny plaque take note of its place in the development of American literature. Unfortunately, Historic Boston Inc., the nonprofit that owns the building, continues to resist efforts to devote all or some of the structure to celebrating its rich heritage. This roundtable will consider how we got to this point and how the problem can be solved.

A ROUND TABLE PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION AT THE AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE

Chair: Megan Marshall, Emerson College

Organizer: Paul Lewis, Boston College

Brian LeMay, President and Executive Director, Bostonian Society, 2004-2017

Rosemary Fisk, Samford University

John Kucich, Bridgewater State University (editor, Concord Saunterer)

John Stauffer, Harvard University