This free, family-friendly extravaganza features literary tours of Harvard Square, treats, live music, and special book-themed promotions in our businesses.
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, City and state officials launched the Massachusetts 2050 campaign in September 2024. Throughout 2025 and 2026, Massachusetts 250 (or MA250) will commemorate the many battles across the City of Cambridge and the state that led to America’s independence.
For 400 years, Harvard Square has been the epicenter of American literature, philosophy, and education. From the first printing press in North America to our beloved book stores today, the outstanding tradition of poetry and storytelling, from Anne Bradstreet to Allen Ginsberg, the Square has been home to all things book-related. Stroll between our current bookstores while hearing stories of the incredible literature that was written in and inspired by these streets. Acclaimed lawyer, author and politician, Richard Henry Dana Jr. (portrayed by Daniel Berger-Jones of Boston History Company) hosts these tours designed exclusively for the Bookish Ball.
The festivities begin at 11am on Harvard’s Smith Campus Plaza (located at 1350 Massachusetts Avenue) where you will be greeted by Elizabeth Glover, portrayed by Linda Peck. Glover established the first printing press in the Thirteen Colonies on Dunster Street, just around the corner! Enjoy some sweet treats and live music before grabbing your “Passport to Wisdom” and visiting Harvard Square’s five book stores: Lovestruck Books, Harvard Book Store, Harvard COOP, Grolier’s Poetry Book Shop, and Rodney’s Bookstore.
