©Copyright 2011 Gatepost Tours, LLC
The Ralph Waldo Emerson House is a registered National Historic Landmark for its associations with American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson. The house was built in 1828 by the Coolidge family and named "Coolidge Castle".
It was used as a summer house on the village outskirts, beside the Cambridge and Concord Turnpike. It is a four-square, two-story frame building in a house style common to many New England towns.
In July 1835, Emerson wrote in his journal, "I bought my house and two acres six rods of land of John T. Coolidge for 3,500 dollars."
He and Lidian Jackson married on September 14 and moved in to the home the next day, along with his mother. The interior furnishings remain much as they did when Emerson lived in the home, with original furniture and Emerson's memorabilia. The exception is the furniture and books from his study, which are now on display in the Concord Museum across the street. His personal book collection has been moved to Harvard University's Houghton Library.
Today the house is still owned by the family. It was first opened to the public in 1930 as a private museum.
a little irreverent. a lot of fun.
