STONINGTON LITERARY FESTIVAL
JAMES MERRILL CENTENNIAL
October 2–4, 2026 | Stonington, Connecticut
A three-day celebration of the life, work, and legacy of James Merrill featuring renowned poets, scholars, musicians, including many former Merrill Fellows.
Join us in Stonington. Tickets on sale here.
Read about the speakers and performers taking part in this festival.
Books and Memorabilia
Pre-order your books and memorabilia.
Store opens August 1
Festival Schedule Overview
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
• Matthew Aucoin and Nicholas Phan Merrill Songs Concert and Reception (6:00PM) at La Grua Center
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
• Block A Sessions (9:00–10:00 AM) at Borough Hall, NESS, Fire House, and La Grua Center
• Block B Sessions (11:00 AM–12:00 PM) at Borough Hall, NESS, Fire House, and La Grua Center
• Festival Lunch (12:00–1:30 PM) at the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society
• Block C Sessions (2:00–3:00 PM) at Borough Hall, NESS, and Fire House
• Evening Keynote Program with Henri Cole (5:00 PM) at La Grua Center
• Centennial Celebration Dinner Honoring the Merrill Family (6:30–9 PM) at The Hounds
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
• Morning Panel moderated by Stephen Yenser and Lanny Hammer (10:00 AM–12:15 PM) at La Grua Center
• Festival Lunch (12:15–1:45 PM) at the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society
• Hilton Als Reading (2:00 PM) at La Grua Center
• Water Street reading (3:00PM) at La Grua Center
THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND
• Exhibition at La Grua Center
• Tours of the James Merrill Apartment
• Stonington Village Literary Walking Tours
• Poets Corner Cemetery Tours
• Registration, information, and merchandise at the James Merrill House Visitors Center
​We are pleased to offer complimentary admission to students for all Saturday and Sunday daytime Centennial events. Enter the promo code “STUDENT” at checkout on the bottom left of the screen. A valid student ID may be requested upon arrival.
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All programming is subject to change.
Thank you to our Committees and Sponsors
This festival is made possible thanks to the Centennial Festival Committee Chairs: Cynthia Elliott, Jenny Dixon, and Joanna Scott; the Centennial Committee members: Owen Hughes, Sylvia (Sibby) Lynch, Laura Mathews, David Schulz, Willard Spiegelman, Tom Sullivan, and Mary Weatherup; and the James Merrill House Board Co-Chairs: Penny Duckham and John Groton; and the rest of the James Merrill House board members: Denise Easton, Bill Fowler, Meg Lyons.
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We also extend our gratitude to the Centennial Committee Advisory Members: Rozina Ali, Antoinette Brim-Bell, Michael Collier, Ann Marie Houle, Jessie Kindig, Tochukwu Okafor, and Julie Rivkin.
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And the festival would not be possible without our sponsors: CT Humanities, CT Center for the Book ,The Hounds, Cannonball Hospitality, Judi Caracausa, Penguin Random House, Long River Wealth Management, UBS; Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP, Valenti Toyota, Chelsea Groton Bank, Raveis Realty. Thank you also to our other funders, including Anonymous, the Wimpfheimer Foundation, Cormac O'Malley, and numerous smaller gifts. ​
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The Textures Exhibition and Anthology Co-Editors: David Schulz and Joanna Scott
Festival Coordinator: Bergin O’Malley
Festival Marketing: Ellen Warfield
Friday, October 2 at 6pm
Join us for an evening of music and poetry with composer and pianist Matthew Aucoin and tenor Nicholas Phan, followed by a reception with hors d'oeuvres and drinks at La Grua.
6pm Matthew Aucoin and Nicholas Phan Concert and Reception
MATTHEW AUCOIN and TENOR NICHOLAS PHAN: MERRILL SONGS CONCERT AND RECEPTION at La Grua Center
The program features Merrill Songs, Aucoin's song cycle setting six poems by James Merrill to music: “A Downward Look,” “The Kimono,” “Grass,” “Last Words,” “Sonnet from Sandover,” and “An Upward Look.”
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Aucoin, a 2018 MacArthur Fellow, is among the most acclaimed composers of his generation, whose operas have been produced at the Metropolitan Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and beyond, and whose Met recording of Eurydice received a Grammy nomination in 2023.
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Phan is a Grammy Award-winning lyric tenor, curator, and educator internationally acclaimed for his expressive artistry and wide-ranging repertoire. He is the co-founder and artistic director of Art Song Chicago, whose mission is to promote art song and vocal chamber music.
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General Admission: $75
Fellows and Session Leaders: $50
Saturday, October 3 Block A : 9-10am
There are three blocks of time (A, B, and C), with 3–4 sessions in each block. All sessions are $25. Please register for only one session per person per time block. Due to limited capacity, there is a limit of two tickets per order. Registration is required for all events. Venue addresses are listed at the bottom of this page.
1A THE APARTMENT AESTHETIC
THE APARTMENT AESTHETIC: Antoinette Brim-Bell, Walt Hunter at NESS Conversation on the symbolic and literal roles of houses in literature.
2A MERRILL IN STONINGTON
MERRILL IN STONINGTON: Sibby Lynch, Willard Spiegelman at Borough Hall A deep dive into Merrill’s life, friendships, and writing during his years in Stonington, including stories and personal recollections from those who knew him.
3A OBJECTS & POEMS
OBJECTS & POEMS Object-Based Workshop with Timothy Donnelly at the Stonington Borough Fire House. Just as Merrill was inspired by the objects around him, we'll read and discuss poems that engage with specific objects, then experiment with writing our own. Participants are encouraged to bring an object of their own, and a selection of objects from the James Merrill House will also be on hand for inspiration.
4A OPEN MIC
OPEN MIC HOSTED BY STONINGTON POET LAUREATE, CHRISTIE MAX WILLIAMS at La Grua Center. Christie Max Williams will host and members of the audience will be invited to read their work.
This event is FREE will also be livestreamed.
Saturday, October 3 BLOCK B: 11am-12pm
There are three blocks of time (A, B, and C), with 3–4 sessions in each block. All sessions are $25. Please register for only one session per person per time block. Due to limited capacity, there is a limit of two tickets per order. Registration is required for all events. Venue addresses are listed at the bottom of this page.
1B QUEER LIFE IN THE 20TH CENTURY
QUEER LIFE IN THE 20TH CENTURY : Mark Doty and Mark Wunderlich at Borough Hall. Discussion of the James Merrill House as a National Historic Landmark within the context of LGBTQ history, featuring prominent voices connected to Merrill and literary preservation.
2B GHOSTS, OUIJA & THE OCCULT
GHOSTS, OUIJA & THE OCCULT: Paul Merrill at NESS. Discussion of “The Changing Light at Sandover” and Merrill’s engagement with mysticism, spiritualism, and the occult.
3B MERRILL’S POETRY OF PLACE
MERRILL’S POETRY OF PLACE: Rachel Hadas and David Yezzi at the new Fire House. Rachel and David will be in conversation about Merrill’s poetry of place. Rachel will focus on some of the poems set in Greece.
4B CELEBRATING THE YALE SERIES OF YOUNGER POETS PANEL
CELEBRATING THE YALE SERIES OF YOUNGER POETS PANEL moderated by Jessie Kindig at La Grua Center. From 1983 to 1989, James Merrill judged the Yale Series of Younger Poets Prize, which has championed new poets since 1919. Since 2012, the James Merrill House has partnered with Yale University Press to offer a month-long residency to each Younger Poets Prize-winner. To celebrate Merrill’s literary legacy, this panel offers readings from “Younger” poets selected by Merrill himself, and those who have held a residency at his home. Readers: Pamela Alexander, Desiree Bailey, Mary Alice Daniel, Ansel Elkins, Robert Wood Lynn, Isabel Neal, Noah Warren, Yanyi.
This event is FREE and will also be livestreamed.
12-1:30PM LUNCH
LUNCH AT THE PORTUGUESE HOLY GHOST SOCIETY
Join fellow festival attendees for a buffet lunch.
$25
Session leaders: FREE
Saturday, October 3 BLOCK C: 2-3pm
There are three blocks of time (A, B, and C), with 3–4 sessions in each block. All sessions are $25. Please register for only one session per person per time block. Due to limited capacity, there is a limit of two tickets per order. Registration is required for all events. Venue addresses are listed at the bottom of this page.
1C POETIC AFTERLIVES
POETIC AFTERLIVES Moderated by Kamran Javadizadeh with Ange Mlinko and Rosanna Warren at Borough Hall. Showcasing writers and artists influenced by Merrill through letters, scholarship, and personal accounts, highlighting Merrill’s role as patron and mentor.
2 C: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH JAMES MERRILL
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH JAMES MERRILL, Michael Collier and Jeffrey Harrison at NESS. This seminar will offer close readings and discussions of several poems by James Merrill from across his career, such as the early “Voices from the Other World” and “b o d y” from his final volume A Scattering of Salts. A handout of the poems will be available for the participants.
3C WORDPLAY & CROSSWORDS
WORDPLAY & CROSSWORDS Adrienne Raphel, Christopher Spaide and Natan Last at the Fire House. Exploration of James Merrill’s playful use of language, including puns, form, and crosswords, featuring a workshop component on constructing poetic puzzles and puzzling poems.
Saturday, October 3 5pm-9:30pm Keynote and Celebration Dinner
The keynote address will be followed by a Celebration Dinner at The Hounds. A shuttle will be available from the village to The Hounds and back.
5-6pm Keynote
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: HENRI COLE at La Grua Center
Distinguished poet, professor, and former Merrill Fellow Henri Cole will deliver the keynote address, introduced by Gigi Bradford.
Writing on paper
The artist commemorates
Himself. Like a god.
~Henri Cole
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This event is FREE and will also be livestreamed
6:30pm Celebration Dinner
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION DINNER HONORING THE MERRILL FAMILY at The Hounds
Join us for a festive evening celebrating James Merrill's enduring legacy. This dinner is a special tribute to the Merrill family, whose generous support over the years has been instrumental in making the James Merrill House what it is today. Come together with good food, good company, and great appreciation for all that their commitment has made possible in keeping Merrill's memory and work alive. A shuttle will be available to and from The Hounds.
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Regular ticket: $175
Session Leaders and Former Fellows: $100
Sunday, October 4
All sessions take place at La Grua Center and will be livestreamed. Admission is $25 per session unless otherwise noted.
10:00am–12:15pm
PANEL DISCUSSIONS: JAMES MERRILL AND HIS WORLD, PARTS 1 AND 2 at La Grua Center. Join us for a rare and intimate conversation about one of America’s great poets. This program, structured as two panels with a short intermission, is hosted by Stephen Yenser, Merrill’s literary executor, and Langdon Hammer, author of the definitive Merrill biography, and brings together an extraordinary group of poets, scholars, and friends who knew Merrill or have devoted themselves to his work.
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Panelists include Hilton Als, Matthew Aucoin, Jennifer Clarvoe, Peter Dimock, Rachel Hadas, Ange Mlinko, Jonathan Post, Mary Jo Salter, Willard Spiegelman, and Lee Zimmerman.
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$25. This event will also be livestreamed.
12-1:30pm
LUNCH AT THE PORTUGUESE HOLY GHOST SOCIETY
Join fellow festival attendees for a buffet lunch.
$25
2pm-3pm
READING FROM A DIFFERENT PERSON, HILTON ALS, with introduction by David Leeming at La Grua Center Hilton Als will read from his recent introduction to Merrill's memoir A Different Person, in which AIDS loss prompts Als to recall his first readings of the poet, and how moved he was by the poet's depiction of gay domesticity, and his rarely discussed political views.
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$25. This event will also be livestreamed.
3-4pm
READING OF WATER STREET, READ BY FORMER FELLOWS, LED BY ROB SCHLEGEL, at La Grua Center. A reading of Merrill's Water Street by former fellows.
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This event is FREE and will be livestreamed.
Literary, Apartment and Cemetery Tours
Throughout the weekend, visitors are invited to tour the Merrill Apartment, enjoy a literary walking tour with Historic Stonington, and explore Stonington Cemetery, where James Merrill, David Jackson, and other local literary figures are buried.
Friday at 2pm Saturday at 10am and
Sunday at 3pm
TOUR THE JAMES MERRILL APARTMENT, 107 Water Street
Step inside the National Historic Landmark that James Merrill and David Jackson called home for over forty years. Tucked quietly in the heart of Stonington borough, this is the house that inspired countless poems and has housed the James Merrill writer-in-residence program for the thirty-plus years since Merrill's death. Rarely open to the public, this is a unique opportunity to experience the place where Merrill could “hide in plain sight.”
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Friday at 2pm Saturday at 2pm
Sunday at 11am
STONINGTON VILLAGE LITERARY WALKING TOUR, Meet at the Stonington Lighthouse, 7 Water Street
Explore the village that Merrill called home for over four decades through a literary lens. Historic Stonington guides lead a walking tour through the borough's storied streets, highlighting the literary figures who called this remarkable coastal village home. Discover why Merrill was so drawn to Stonington, a place where artists and writers had long found community, inspiration, and belonging. A perfect way to explore the rich creative history woven into Stonington's architecture, gardens, and waterfront.
Friday and Sunday at 2pm
TOUR THE STONINGTON CEMETERY, POETS CORNER, 345 North Main Street
Join Stonington Cemetery for a guided tour of the grounds where James Merrill and his partner David Jackson are buried, alongside the Stonington families and literary figures who make up the cemetery's celebrated "Poets Corner." An intimate glimpse into the lives and legacies that have shaped this remarkable community.
TEXTURES EXHIBITION AT LAGRUA
(on display from September-October)
The Textures exhibition features iterative representations of texts by former Merrill House Fellows who contributed to the Textures Anthology--a book project conceived on the occassion of the James Merrill Centenary that foregrounds the visual aspects of a text. Writers were asked to photograph a version of their writing that might be hand-written, chicken-scrawled, or typeset possibly including marks of a personal nature on a medium of their choice, such as paper bags, ATM receipts, or screenshot off a digital device.​​​
Conceived and Deveopled by David Schulz and Joanna Scott.
This exhibit is free admission.
Festival Venue Locations
All venues are in Stonington Borough except The Hounds, where the Celebration Dinner will take place, and The Stonington Cemetery. Shuttle bus service will be available to and from the Celebration Dinner. Please note there are three venues that are not wheelchair accessible: The Portuguese Holy Ghost Society, NESS and the James Merrill Apartment.
Keynote events, larger panels, Fellows Exhibit
32 Water Street.
Parking lot • 140-person capacity • Wheelchair accessible
26 Main Street
Street parking • Has stairs
72 Water Street.
Street parking only • 30-person capacity • This venue has stairs
Celebration Dinner
769 Stonington Road
Parking available • Wheelchair accessible • Transportation to/from village provided
The Stonington Borough Fire House
Sessions
100 Main Street.
Parking lot available • 30-person capacity
Sessions
26 Church Street
Street parking • 100 person capacity • elevator
Tour Locations
We will offer three different tours over the weekend: a tour of the James Merrill Apartment, a Stonington Cemetery tour, and a literary walking tour of the village. Tours of the apartment are free, while the other tours are $25. Please note that each tour requires a minimum of five people to run. All tours require registration.
107 Water Street, 3rd floor
Only accessible by stairs
The Stonington Lighthouse, 7 Water Street
345 North Main Street — a 27-minute walk or 4-minute drive from the Merrill House.
Thank You to our Sponsors
We are grateful for the generous support of our Landmark Sponsors, whose contributions helped make this festival possible:
CT Humanities, The Hounds, Cannonball Hospitality
Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors:
Market Realty; Penguin Random House; Long River Wealth Management, UBS; Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP
Thank you to our Silver Sponsors:
Valenti Toyota, Chelsea Groton Bank, William Raveis
