Annual Meeting Overview
May 27 – 31, 2026 • Boston, MA
The Manuscript Society’s 2026 Annual Meeting took place May 27–31, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. This year’s meeting coincided 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 proved to be an unforgettable experience, combining the rich literary and historical heritage of the city with exclusive access to renowned institutions and collections.
Our meeting was 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.