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Join us on the weekend of September 11-13, 2026, in downtown Gloucester for GLOUCESTER'S ACROPOLIS Defining the City Then and Now |
Join us for "Gloucester's Acropolis: Defining the City Then and Now" - a mix of talks, walks, and readings over the course of three days (9/11-9/13). We'll explore how the cultural, educational, literary, and civic center of Gloucester's historic downtown neighborhood has defined the city, shaped its identity, and enriched the lives of its residents - from the 19th century to today.
The term “Acropolis” was used by Gloucester novelist Jonathan Bayliss (1926-2009) to refer to the cluster of vital institutions located on the hillside above Gloucester Harbor including Gloucester City Hall, Sawyer Free Library, Post Office, the Dale Avenue school, and Cape Ann Museum.
This conference is organized by the Jonathan Bayliss Society in partnership with Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester Writers Center, and Sawyer Free Library and is funded in part by the Gloucester Cultural Council, a local agency supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, and the Bruce Cove Foundation.
Advance registration is required for all events. Please check out the listings below and then scroll down for registration options.
"What you do see from the outermost harbor to the center of the city is its acropolis, or at least the tops of buildings and even the tips of trees surrounding it on the four or five streets that define its geological platform." -- Jonathan Bayliss, Gloucestermas |
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Bits of the Acropolis's rich history will be brought to life by talented readers presenting newspaper excerpts about the fascinating development of the Acropolis's main institutions - from the 1800s through more recent times. Learn about the City Hall phoenix, the construction of the Dale Avenue high school, the origins of the Cape Ann Museum and Sawyer Free Library, and the excitement accompanying the opening of the 20th-century Post Office.
Bayliss Birthday Dinner with Special Guest Ken Riaf Saturday, September 12, 2026, 5:45 pm Join us after Saturday' s conference activities for a dinner celebrating the centenary of Jonathan Bayliss's birth 100 years ago. (Bayliss was born on September 7, 1926, in Arlington, Massachusetts, and grew up poor during the Great Depression - mainly in Cambridge and southern Vermont. In 1956 he settled in Gloucester, where he wrote his four-volume fiction series, Gloucesterman.) When he moved to Gloucester, Bayliss chose a house on Washington Street near the Gloucester train station because rail was his favorite form of travel. The dinner will be held at the Azorean Restaurant, located just steps from the train platform. After dinner, Gloucester writer Ken Riaf – whose plays include My Station in Life, Think of Me Tuesday, and Copy and Acknowledge - will describe an encounter that he and filmmaker Henry Ferrini had with Bayliss in 2002. Birthday cake will be served. Early registration is recommended, as space is limited. | THANKS TO OUR CONFERENCE PARTNERS!
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REGISTRATION
Conference Registration Conference (talks, walks, tour, readings) registration is open to JBS members and their guests at reduced pricing through Sunday, July 19: members may select any/all of the conference events for $20. If you are a member, click here to register at the early-bird price. Starting July 20, regular registration opens ($25 conference fee). Please note that the walks and murals tour have limited capacity and will likely sell out, so we advise registering early. Birthday Dinner Registration Registration for the Bayliss Birthday Dinner is open to JBS members and their guests at the reduced price of $50 per person through Sunday, July 19. If you are a member, click here to register at the early-bird Birthday Dinner price. Capacity is limited, so we recommend registering early if you would like to attend. Starting July 20, we will open the remaining seats at $60 per person. Cancellation Policies Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel any of your registration so that others may attend in your place. If we receive your cancellation by Friday, September 4, we will issue a refund less $15.00 which will help defray fixed costs of the conference. Walks will take place rain or shine. Waiver By registering for conference events you assume all risk of injury or harm as a result of the activities specified above and agree to release, indemnify, defend, and forever discharge the Jonathan Bayliss Society and its conference partners from all liability due to injury, loss, or damage. Questions? If you have questions, or have any difficulty registering online, feel free to email us at info@jonathanbayliss.org. |
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