On March 24, 1815, the Handel and Haydn Society was founded in Boston, Massachusetts, by a group of merchants and musicians dedicated to performing oratorios and other choral works. The society gave its first performance on December 25, 1815, at the King's Chapel in Boston, featuring works by Handel and Haydn. It is the oldest continuously performing arts organization in the United States and has played a central role in American musical life, introducing audiences to classical music and fostering a tradition of choral singing. The society's founding reflected the growing cultural ambitions of the young American republic.

The Handel and Haydn Society contributed to the cultural environment that nurtured American poetry and letters, providing a model for artistic institutions that would support the arts. The society's performances of oratorios and choral works influenced the development of American hymnody and patriotic song, genres that often intersected with poetry. The society's emphasis on classical music also helped to elevate the cultural aspirations of American writers, who sought to create a distinctly American literature that could stand alongside European traditions. The society remains a testament to the enduring power of music and poetry to shape national identity.