Beginning in 1968, Paul Carroll, editor of the short lived though tremendously influential Big Table literary magazine, organized and hosted readings at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago to promote the new Big Table Books series. These readings, along with the awareness and interest they generated, served as the foundations for what would eventually become The Poetry Center of Chicago. In 1973, concurrently with The Poetry Center's official inception, William Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg gave a reading in the basement of the Museum of Contemporary Art, paving the road for a reading series that would span more than three decades, host more than 200 poets, and garner both local and national acclaim. Paul Carroll served as the first board president, followed by poet Paul Hoover and Mark Perlberg, who served as president for 14 years. Subsequently, John Van Doren and Rezek would also serve as board presidents.

The Poetry Center 1974: Pictured is the founder Paul Carroll, some of the original board including Lisel Mueller, Mark Perlberg, and John Rezek and the advisory board at the time (then called the "guiding council") including Barry Schechter, Bill Knott, Paul Hoover, Michael Anania, Bill Hunt, Candance Rackenger, Rich Friedman, Peter Kostackis, John Rezek, Neil Hackman, Rose Simon, Maxine Chernoff. 1974 Photo by Norris McNamara. Photo donated to The Poetry Center by Mark and Anna Perlberg.