Gloucester's Acropolis
Defining the City Then and Now
Friday, September 11-Sunday, September 13, 2026
Downtown Gloucester
The Jonathan Bayliss Society's September conference, "Gloucester's Acropolis: Defining the City Then and Now," will offer a mix of talks, walks, and readings over the course of three days (9/11-9/13) exploring 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 former high school, and Cape Ann Museum.
Please click here to review the preliminary schedule of events.
"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