BSI Weekend in New York

Sherlock Holmes was 166 years old on 6th January, and the Baker Street Irregulars (aka BSI) from all over the world come to New York to be part of Sherlock’s birthday celebrations! The Weekend is always fun, filled with formal and informal opportunities for Sherlockians new and old to gather for a common purpose. The BSI weekend was founded by Christopher Morley in 1934 and it is the oldest Sherlockian literary society. This led to other Scion societies of BSI forming, such as The Speckled Band of Boston and the Six Napoleon’s of Baltimore and more. The English Sherlock Holmes Society was also formed in 1934, and Morley was Keen to have the ‘first formed’ status, so had the first BSI dinner two days before the SHS dinner in London! The BSI was a male only society until 1991, when Tom Stix, the new BSI leader made an announcement that would change the BSI forever, by introducing six women, and the BSI has been co-ed ever since. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's youngest daughter Jean (my great step grandmother) was the first woman to be invested as a member of the BSI as an honoury guest. Today one is invited to join the BSI and members should have a deep love and interest in Sherlock Holmes! There are about 300 international BSI members, about half attend the events in New York City every January, which are open to the Sherlockian community too. Every year ten new Sherlockian are invited to become members at the annual dinner. Every night at 2.21 am Sherlock's birthday is toasted in many pubs throughout New York over the birthday weekend!