Literary Tourism: Provincetown, Massachusetts | Book Riot

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Eileen’s main literary love is comedian books, however she’s all the time looking out for her subsequent literary journey it doesn’t matter what kind it takes. She has a Bachelor’s in media research, a Master’s in digital communication, a smattering of printed brief tales, and a severely cute canine. Follow her on Tumblr and Twitter.

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In 1620, earlier than touchdown at what would grow to be Plymouth, Massachusetts, the Mayflower colonizers stopped in Provincetown Harbor, situated on the very tip of Cape Cod. There, they signed the Mayflower Compact, laying the “ground rules” for his or her colony. Two years later, among the colonists would write Mourt’s Relation, an account of their journey from England to Provincetown to Plymouth. This was the primary, however positively not the final, time Provincetown would make a big effect on literary historical past.

The subsequent main growth got here in 1898 after Provincetown had been decimated by a violent storm. Desperate for earnings, many residents had been glad when painter Charles Webster Hawthorne determined to position his Cape Cod School of Art there, bringing in his artist associates and plenty of enterprise. Since then, Provincetown has been a haven for artists, writers, and activists of every kind, from Norman Mailer and Eugene O’Neill (whose first play was produced right here) to Susan Glaspell and Mary Heaton Vorse.

I might be remiss if I didn’t additionally spotlight Ptown’s relationship with the LGBT+ group. One of America’s most gay-friendly cities, Provincetown has been a haven for queer vacationers and creatives alike for many years.

For at the moment’s version of Literary Tourism, I’m going to take you thru lots of the bookish locations to see in Provincetown’s historic district. If you’re a queer guide lover, you can hardly discover a higher place to journey!

Bookish Sites

Writers have definitely left their mark on this historic city, as evidenced by the websites under.

Authors’ Homes

As I mentioned, Provincetown has a protracted historical past of welcoming writers and different artistic varieties, together with Eugene O’Neill and John Dos Passos. You’d assume that there can be at the very least one home preserved because it was when these writers had been residing there, however that doesn’t appear to be the case. There are solely a few plaques commemorating their former properties, in addition to the theater the place O’Neill’s first play, “Bound East for Cardiff,” was carried out.

I by no means made it far sufficient down Commercial Street to see the plaques myself, however you may examine them and see photos right here. Also, the Provincetown Museum has a number of shows devoted to the place’s literary historical past.

Fine Arts Work Center

Whether you’re a photographer, painter, poet, sculptor, author, or every other sort of artist, you may in all probability discover a summer time workshop that matches your wants on the Fine Arts Work Center (FAWC). Once you attend a workshop, you may be eligible to enroll in residencies within the spring and fall, if you happen to want slightly quiet time to follow your craft.

According to their web site, FAWC was based in 1968 and is devoted to “provid[ing] time and space to emerging artists and writers at crucial, early phases of their careers.” In accordance with their mission of artwork, FAWC has a number of bookish facilities onsite, together with a library, a bookstore, and a desk of free books within the pc lab.

Provincetown Library

Formerly a church, the Provincetown Library is dwelling to each books and a half-size mannequin of a schooner. If you’re fortunate, you may be informed a few of this historical past by a drag queen standing in entrance of the library in a pink princess costume and matching umbrella.

One of Ptown’s Little Free Libraries lives right here as effectively (test the underside of the image above, to the correct of the steps).

Bookstores

Want to select up a guide whereas in Ptown? Definitely not an issue!

East End Books

This cute store additionally provides the books for FAWC’s on-site bookstore. It has a complete shelf devoted to books in regards to the Cape.

Provincetown Bookshop

Exterior of a light blue bookshop with a wooden sign featuring an owl hanging to the right — Photo by Eileen Gonzalez

The oldest bookstore on the town (based in 1932), Provincetown Bookshop additionally has a shelf of books about and/or set within the space. There are lots, as it’s possible you’ll think about! I additionally dig the little owl on the store signal.

Tim’s Used Books

Set far again from Commercial Street; you entry Tim’s by strolling alongside a shady path that features a greenery-covered arbor. Inside you’ll discover a entire houseful of rooms lined with bookshelves (generally even the cabinets are lined with cabinets). Every time you assume you’ve seen all of it, you discover one other book-filled room tucked away with much more hidden treasures so that you can uncover.

Womencrafts

Described by my information map as “one of the few feminist bookshops in the country,” Womencrafts makes a speciality of books by and about girls of every kind, together with queer and disabled girls. I particularly appreciated the Post-Its they positioned on sure new releases, informing customers that, say, this guide has a lesbian character, or that one was written by a trans lady.

Books About Provincetown

From nonfiction like Susan Baker’s The History of Provincetown to fiction like John Preston’s Franny, the Queen of Provincetown, there may be definitely no scarcity of books on the market about this stunning, lively, enjoyable city. Maybe they’re not as a lot enjoyable as roaming Ptown your self, however they’re the subsequent smartest thing!

Check out our Literary Tourism tag for extra superior bookish trip spots!

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