A good point, and an excellent question -- to which, remarkably, I just happen to know the answer.

The Revolutionary War veterans who were to form the "Ohio Company of Associates" and request the charter granted by the Ordinance of 1787 met in the "Bunch of Grapes" Tavern in Boston to write their proposal to the US government for the purchase of the land in the origional Northwest Territory. You can find their names on many campus buildings -- Cutler, Putnam, McGuffey.

I've often wondered if that tavern/room still existed. So thanks for that information. I'd love to try to find it next time I'm in Boston.

The bar/lounge at the Ohio University Inn, a hotel owned by the University is called "The Bunch of Grapes" room. Few people know the reason for that.

Another reason for the "Havard on the Hocking" line is that the president of O.U. when I was there, Dr. Vernon R. Alden, was a (Brown undergrad, I think) Harvard MBA, and tried to copy a lot of the traditions of the Ivy League schools. That wasn't always successful, and not always met with much enthusiasm. To be fair, though, the "Alden Years" (I narrated a documentary with that name when I was a student at the university TV station which is still in the University Archives!) were years of tremendous growth, both in student population and physical growth. Some would argue that the growth was too fast at that time.

He is still very active in university affairs, and the main library on the Athens Campus bears his name.

Aren't you sorry you asked?

I don't know if the Bunch of Grapes tavern still exists. I seem to remember the plaque being on the side of an office building. I'll have to ask my mom because it has been a number of years since she showed me the plaque.

Yeah, I'd be amazed if the tavern still exists, but it would be nice just to see the place or proximity.

In some ways, I guess, it would be like seeing George Washington's original axe that allegedly chopped down the cherry tree, even though it's had two new heads and eight new handles.

It's the spirit of the place that counts.

Out of curiousity, I did a Google Search on Bunch of Grapes Tavern, and to my surprize, found quite a few articles.

Apparantely, the very first Masonic Lodge in the United States was also organized at the Bunch of Grapes.

Here's an excerpt of one of the webpages:

"Answering to an advertisement that appeared in the newspapers of the state of Massachusetts on January 25, 1786, Manasseh Cutler met with ten highly decorated military men at an esteem Boston establishment known as the Bunch of Grapes Tavern on March 1, 1786. During a three day conference at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern, the eleven men established the Ohio Company of Associates, or the Ohio Company. From this esteemed tavern the history of Southeastern Ohio was forever changed."

Including, of course, the chartering of Ohio University.

to answer a question asked earlier, yes the Beta Theta Pi house has been repaired. I haven't seen the inside yet but the outside is back to being beautiful.

in other news....OU has a big ten game today at home!!!! first one ever! i'm really excited....even though i know we're going to lose.

Just read in the Post (Student newspaper) Online that a new Bi-Centennial Park on campus will feature a sculpture by Athens native Maya Lin, the designer of the Viet Nam Memorial in Washington, DC.

If memory serves me correctly, either one or both of Ms. Lin's parents were on the OU faculty.

edit:

NAME: Maya Ying Lin

BORN: October 5, 1959

COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS: born...Athens, Ohio (Athens County)

PARENTS: Henry Huan Lin (ceramist, dean of fine arts - Ohio University) and Julia Chang Lin (professor of literature)

Pretty cool...

My copy of the official bi-centennial book on the history of Ohio University arrived today, and I'm quoted in it!

Being part of the work feels really good.

Bumping up this old thread.

If any Ohio U people are in Boston, go to State Street (near Fanuel Hall and Park Street) and find the Citizens Bank building (also called the Exchange building) and you'll find a plaques that talk about the Bunch of Grapes tavern and Ohio University.

The address is either 35 or 53 State Street in Boston.

Lionlove,

Thanks so much for thinking about this. Don't know when I'll be in Boston again, but will try to make it a point to look this up.

I really apprciate the post.

You're welcome.