First PrinterNow a delightful local pub serving delicious cocktails and hush puppies, the building has also been home to an ice cream parlor and a bank in it’s time (you can still dine in classic bank vault). Before the building was even built, however, this site was home to a man named Stephen Daye, an indentured servant who came from England in 1638 and ran the first printing press in the British North American colonies.
The press belonged to Reverend Joseph Glover who died on the voyage from England leaving the press and Stephen’s debt (51 pounds) to his wife Elizabeth. Stephen printed The Bay Psalm Book, which was the first book printed in America, along with a broadside called the Freeman’s Oath, and an 8 page almanac. The press itself was operated by Harvard until 1693. Come along on a tour and find out how they put it to use! |