Annual Meeting

May 27 – 31, 2026 • Boston, MA

Join us in Boston for the Manuscript Society’s next Annual Meeting, taking place May 27–31, 2026. This year’s meeting coincides with Boston 250, the city’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution—making it the perfect setting to explore the documents, stories, and people that shaped our nation’s founding. Boston is home to some of the nation’s most iconic historical sites—from the Old North Church to Faneuil Hall—and offers a wealth of archival treasures.

Boston is equally renowned for its literary heritage, having inspired generations of writers including Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott, Henry David Thoreau, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. This year’s gathering promises an unforgettable experience, combining the rich literary and historical heritage of the city with exclusive access to renowned institutions and collections.

Our meeting will be headquartered at the historic Omni Parker House Hotel downtown with easy access to dining, shopping, transportation, and most importantly, many of the city’s most famous sites. Established in 1855, it is the longest continuously operating hotel in the United States, hosting every U.S. president since Ulysses S. Grant. The Parker house also holds rich literary associations: it was here that Charles Dickens first read a Christmas Carol in America and where Longfellow wrote “Paul Revere’s Ride.

As the nation celebrates its milestone anniversary, come back to where it all began:  Boston, site of the Manuscript Society’s 2026 annual meeting. We’ll be there for Boston 250, the city’s yearlong salute to the American Revolution. It’s the ideal time and the perfect place to explore the sites and stories behind the nation’s quest for independence. Frequently referred to as a “living museum,” Boston is steeped in rich history and our members will have behind-the-scenes access to some of the best the city has to offer.

Our immersion in history will begin and end with a stay at our host hotel. Omni Parker House, opened in 1855, is among the oldest continuously operating hotels in the United States. Here Charles Dickens gave his first American reading of A Christmas Carol and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Celebrate America’s 250th in Boston, the Birthplace of the American Revolution drafted Paul Revere’s Ride. In addition to literary figures, the Omni Parker House has served as a gathering place for politicians, including Ulysses S. Grant, Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy, functioning as a venue for important meetings and events throughout history. Culinary history was also made at the hotel. This is where Parker House rolls originated, not to mention Boston cream pie (both of which will be served at our closing reception!). The Parker House is located in beautiful downtown Boston, within easy walking distance of many popular historical destinations.