Archer City, September 17, 2025
News Summary
A nonprofit organization has acquired the former Booked Up bookstore in Archer City and is transforming it into the Larry McMurtry Literary Center. This facility will honor the legacy of the late novelist by hosting exhibitions, lectures, and writing workshops. While full renovations are underway, two rooms are already open to the public, showcasing parts of McMurtry’s extensive collection of rare books. Upcoming events include discussions on McMurtry’s influence, providing a local hub for literary engagement and education.
Archer City, Texas — A nonprofit has purchased the town bookstore and begun converting it into the Larry McMurtry Literary Center, a facility intended to preserve and present the legacy of the late novelist and screenwriter while offering exhibitions, lectures and writing workshops to the public.
What happened
The Archer City Writers Workshop completed a purchase of the bookstore Booked Up, previously owned by home renovators Chip and Joanna Gaines, and announced plans to repurpose the space as the Larry McMurtry Literary Center. Two rooms in the building are already being made available to the public during ongoing renovations. A full opening date has not been announced and will depend on completion of renovation work and the gathering of McMurtry’s possessions for display.
Why this matters
The center will house and display portions of Larry McMurtry’s extensive collection of rare and antiquarian books, a key component of the new facility. Current inventories include more than 400,000 rare books that are being organized as space is cleared for exhibitions, public programs and events. The conversion aims to create a local hub for lifelong literary education and community engagement with literature and writing in Archer City.
Immediate public offerings
- Two rooms open to visitors while renovations continue.
- Plans for rotating exhibitions drawing from McMurtry’s personal collections.
- A proposed lecture series and writing workshops to support writers at multiple levels.
Programs and events tied to the center
An upcoming free event on October 2 at Allen Heritage Village in Texas will feature George Getschow, editor of the anthology Pastures of the Empty Page, who will discuss McMurtry’s influence and legacy. Getschow has a longstanding connection to McMurtry and to Archer City, having collaborated with McMurtry professionally and brought students to the town for literary experiences.
Supporting details and logistics
The bookstore Booked Up has been described as embodying McMurtry’s long personal interest in books and collecting. The site will not only display books but will also incorporate elements of McMurtry’s life and work into programming and exhibitions. Renovation work includes clearing shelving and storage to create accessible exhibition space and public meeting rooms. Organizers say renovations will continue in phases until the entire store is converted into the literary center.
Legal and curatorial factors
As part of McMurtry’s final arrangements, he directed that his ashes be interred in the store. Curators are collecting McMurtry’s possessions and deciding how best to present them within exhibition and educational programs. No final schedule for the center’s full public opening is available at this time.
Context: McMurtry’s career and cultural reach
Larry McMurtry was a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and a prolific screenwriter whose work extended well beyond regional literature. His notable achievements include the Pulitzer Prize for the novel Lonesome Dove. McMurtry’s first book, Horseman Passed By, provided inspiration for the 1963 film HUD. Other notable film and television adaptations of his work include The Last Picture Show (1971), Terms of Endearment (1983), and the television mini-series Lonesome Dove (1986). These adaptations helped bring McMurtry’s writing to national and international audiences.
Local and literary significance
The literary center project represents an effort to maintain a physical locus for McMurtry’s impact on Texas literature and to provide continuing opportunities for writers, students and readers to engage with his work and with broader literary traditions. Organizers emphasize educational programming as a central mission, with workshops and lectures geared toward varied levels of experience.
Next steps
Renovations and curatorial work will continue in phases. Organizers are cataloging materials, preparing exhibits, and planning a schedule of public programs. The public can expect incremental openings of parts of the center as each phase is completed, with a full opening pending completion of renovations and the assembly of exhibits from McMurtry’s collections.
FAQ
What is opening in Archer City?
The Larry McMurtry Literary Center will open in the former Booked Up bookstore and will include exhibitions, a lecture series and writing workshops.
Who owns the building now?
The Archer City Writers Workshop, a nonprofit, purchased Booked Up from the previous owners and is converting it into the literary center.
When will the center fully open?
No full opening date has been announced. Two rooms are open to the public during ongoing renovations. Full opening depends on renovation progress and the assembly of McMurtry’s possessions for display.
What collections will be on display?
Portions of Larry McMurtry’s rare and antiquarian book collection will be featured. More than 400,000 rare books are currently accounted for as organizers clear space and prepare exhibits.
Are there any upcoming events?
A free event on October 2 at Allen Heritage Village will feature George Getschow discussing McMurtry’s legacy. Additional programs and workshops are planned as part of the center’s programming.
Will McMurtry’s personal effects be included?
Yes. Organizers are gathering McMurtry’s possessions to include in exhibits and to inform educational programming. His will specified that his ashes be interred in the store.
| Feature | Status / Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Booked Up bookstore, Archer City, Texas |
| Owner | Archer City Writers Workshop (nonprofit) |
| Public access | Two rooms open now; phased openings during renovations |
| Collections | More than 400,000 rare and antiquarian books being organized |
| Programs planned | Exhibitions, lecture series, writing workshops |
| Notable events | George Getschow event on October 2 at Allen Heritage Village |
| Opening date | To be announced after renovations and exhibit assembly |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Axios: Larry McMurtry Texas Nonprofit Fundraiser
- Texas Highways: Larry McMurtry’s Famous Bookstore Reopens as a Literary Center
- CBS News: Archer City Larry McMurtry
- Dallas Observer: Texan Author’s Larry McMurtry Literary Center Now Open in Archer City
- Wikipedia: Larry McMurtry
- Texas Monthly: Larry McMurtry’s Grandson Curtis McMurtry Musician
- Houston Chronicle: Larry McMurtry Bookstore Literary Center
- Dallas News: Larry McMurtry’s Archer City Bookstore Will Become a Literary Center
- Google Search: Larry McMurtry
- News Channel 10: WT to Recognize Author Larry McMurtry Biography Wednesday
- Google Scholar: Larry McMurtry
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