Peter Orlovsky, Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs
(photo by Allen Ginsberg)

Having taken meticulous notes and planned the novel duringhis cross-country travels, JACK KEROUAC wrote the first draftof On the Road in a three-week burst of creativity, tapingsheets of paper together so they could run through histypewriter uninterrupted. After a cross-country exhibitiontour, the original scroll has returned to Lowell’s BoottCotton Mills Museum, where its display will be part of "ONTHE ROAD IN LOWELL,” a festival of readings, musical performances,and art exhibits (see www.ontheroadinlowell.org) planned aroundthe 50th anniversary of On the Road. The Beat Generation isreborn at Lowell National Historical Park, 115 John St,Lowell June 15–September 14 [reception June 15: 6-9 pm]