Texas writer Larry McMurtry, who illuminated the world through his captivating stories set in his beloved Archer City, left an indelible mark on American literature. Though he traveled far and wide, his roots ran deep in this small Texas town, and its spirit permeated much of his iconic work, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, Lonesome Dove.
Despite his literary acclaim, McMurtry, a man of dry wit who called himself "a minor regional novelist," remained grounded. He found contentment in the written word, spending decades as a proprietor of antiquarian bookstores.In 1980s, he established a second Booked Up in his hometown, dreaming of transforming Archer City into a haven for book lovers, mirroring the allure of Hay-on-Wye in Wales.
His stores eventually sprawled across four storefronts,overflowing with hundreds of thousands of volumes,a testament to his boundless passion for literature.
McMurtry’s own personal library, housed in his Archer City mansion and carriage house, held thousands more treasures. When the renowned author passed away in 2021, his beloved bookstore, Booked Up, was acquired by TV personalities Chip and Joanna gaines. They curated about 10,000 vintage volumes for their new Hotel 1928 in Waco, Texas.
Recently, the Gaineses sold Booked Up to the Archer City Writers Workshop, igniting a spark of renewal and the promise of an remarkable literary destination.
now, a remarkable change is underway.A dedicated team has embarked on a mission to establish the Larry McMurtry Literary Center, wich will occupy the very space where McMurtry’s world of words took flight. Guided by George Getschow, a literary luminary and the director of the mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference at the University of north Texas, this ambitious project is envisioned as a source of literary pilgrimage, akin to those dedicated to greats like Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, and Emily Dickinson.
The center will be a haven for McMurtry enthusiasts and literary aficionados,featuring not only his extensive collection from Booked Up but also his private library of 27,000 volumes,acquired by Dallas bookman James Gannon. Realistic listening stations will transport visitors into the world of McMurtry’s audiobooks. Rotating exhibitions will delve into the nuances of his life and masterpieces.
Visitors will be able to purchase selected books from the collections, and the center’s gift shop will offer an array of unique souvenirs, perhaps even echoing the iconic blue pigs from Lonesome Dove.
Fundraising efforts are underway to renovate Booked Up No. 1. The building requires urgent repairs and modernization to accommodate this literary treasure trove.
Getschow, who has dedicated the final chapter of his career to bringing this vision to life, believes there is no more deserving recipient of this unparalleled tribute than Larry McMurtry.
The Larry McMurtry Literary Center is poised to become a beacon, beckoning readers and scholars to the heart of Texas, where the legacy of a literary giant will be celebrated for generations to come.
For more details on the Larry mcmurtry Literary Center, visit : LmcMurtrylitcenter.org