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Hillsborough Literary Association

From September through June, the meetings of the Hillsborough Literary Association (HLA) highlight the area's literary community through readings, book signings, dramatic interpretations of literary works, and the Children's Holiday Storytime.

The Hillsborough Literary Association was organized in January 1842 and revived 160 years later, in October 2002, by the Historic Hillsborough Commission as a fundraiser for the Burwell School Historic Site. The original Literary Association was heralded by The Western Carolinian of Salisbury as the first organization of its kind in the state and its membership included the town's most prominent citizens. Frederick Nash, the Association's first President, hoped that through their efforts, "the day is not far distant when Hillsborough will be as celebrated for its Literature, as it now is for the salubrity of its climate and the beauty of its scenery." Like its predecessor, the HLA meets Thursday evenings at twilight.

The HLA meets monthly at 7:30 p.m. at the Burwell School Historic Site. Light refreshments are served. Tickets are $12 and advance reservations are recommended. To make reservations, please contact us.

The Hillsborough Literary Association is sponsored in part through the generosity of the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation.

Need Directions to the Burwell School?

The 2007-2008 Season:

Hillsborough Literary Association's Short Film Festival
Thursday, May 29, 2008   7:30pm   $12

Read about this event in the Chapel Hill News.
From the people who brought you the Oscar-nominated movie "Big Fish", the Emmy award winning TV Programs "One Life to Live" and "Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All", and the New York Times Bestseller novel "The Last Girls", comes the Hillsborough Literary Association's Short Film Festival. For one night only, watch films written by local authors Lee Smith, Allan Gurganus, Michael Malone and Daniel Wallace and adapted by Duke University students for the screen. Enjoy complimentary popcorn as you listen to the authors read short passages from their works and answer questions, together with Duke University film Professor Elisabeth Benfey. Reservations recommended.

Poetry with Max Preston
Thursday, May 1, 2008   7:30 pm   $12

The Hillsborough Literary Association and the Burwell School Historic Site present poet Max Preston reading from his recently published book The Phoenix Collection & Other Poems. Preston will include some new poems not included in the book.
Preston, a life-long poet, has been active in many other pursuits. Professionally, he was an attorney and business executive, but has also been an active citizen in each community where he was located, now including Hillsborough and the Burwell School Historic Site.
Noted Hillsborough author Lee Smith has praised Preston's new book with these comments: "Max Preston traces all the stages of a will-lived life in these remarkable poems, written straight from the heart. Experiences to identify with, lines to savor."

Judge Beverly Scarlett
A Discussion of African-American history in Orange County
Thursday, February 28, 2008   7:30pm   FREE

We will welcome Judge Beverly Scarlett during Black History Month for a talk focusing on the history of African-Americans in Hillsborough inspired by her personal experience. Judge Scarlett grew up in Hillsborough, and served as an assistant district attorney for eight years and supervised the office's District Court cases. Now she is serving as a District Court Judge for Orange and Chatham counties. Judge Scarlett have been also been part of the Historic Hillsborough Commission that owns and operates the Burwell School Historic Site.

Michael Malone and Allan Gurganus at the Holiday Literary Association Meeting
Thurs/Fri, Mid-December, 2007

The authors will read from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens as a benefit for the Burwell School, with a reception following the reading. $15.
Read about 2005's performance in the Chapel Hill News



Past Seasons:

The 2006-2007 Season included the following authors and their books:

  • Jill McCorkle
  • A Children's Reading of Hansel and Gretel and the Gingerbread Man
  • Dr. William Andrews, The Curse of Caste; or the Slave Bride (ed.)
  • Randall Kenan
  • Reynolds Price, Pages From a High Old Time--Oxford, England in the 1950's

The 2005-2006 Season included the following authors and their books:

  • Hal Crowther, Gather at the River: Notes from the Post-Millennial South
  • Nancy Goodwin and Ippy Patterson, Montrose: Life in a Garden
  • Jerry Eidenier, Draw Fire Catch Fire
  • Dr. Peter H. Wood and Brenda Stephens, When the Roll is Called Up Yonder
  • David Payne, Back to Wando Passo.

The 2004-2005 Season included the following authors: Michael Malone, Jaki Shelton Green, Lee Smith and Chuck Stone.