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Amos Bronson Alcott originally purchased two houses set upon twelve acres of land on the Lexington Road in 1857 -- both dating to circa 1690-1720 -- for $945. He then moved the smaller tenant farmhouse and joined it to the rear of the larger manor house, making many improvements to the home, as explained in his journals of 1857-58.
The grounds also contained an orchard of forty apple trees, which greatly appealed to Mr. Alcott, who considered apples the most perfect food. It is not surprising, then, that he should name his home "Orchard House."
After moving twenty-two times in nearly thirty years, the Alcotts finally found their most permanent home at Orchard House, where they lived from 1858 to 1877. The house is most noted for being where Louisa May Alcott wrote and set her beloved classic, Little Women, in 1868 at a "shelf desk" her father built especially for her.
Fortunately, there have been no major structural changes to the house since the Alcotts' time, and on-going preservation efforts adhere to the highest standards of authenticity. Since approximately 80% of the furnishings on display were owned by the Alcotts, the rooms look very much as they did when the family lived here, causing many modern-day visitors to comment that, "A visit to Orchard House is like a walk through Little Women!"
a little irreverent. a lot of fun.
