©Copyright 2011 Gatepost Tours, LLC
Original 18th and 19th century furnishings add to the authenticity of this house where Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, Nathaniel Hawthorne honeymooned, and Henry Thoreau planted a wedding gift that keeps on giving! We’ll discuss the nature of Nature, the second revolution, touch on Transcendentalism and amuse ourselves with the funniest (yes, funny!) bits from Mosses from an Old Manse.
Then to Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House: home of Louisa, her beloved, talented family, and where she would pen Little Women. Louisa’s original desk, May’s beautiful art and Bronson’s clever home improvements give one the impression of truly visiting a home, not a museum. Through stories of Louisa, her family, and the uniqueness of her upbringing, you’ll appreciate the origins of Alcott’s most famous novel and perhaps come to view it in a whole new light.
Known as “Bush”, the Emerson House is our next stop where you’ll be warmly welcomed into Waldo and Lidian’s home. Still owned by the Emerson family, the prevailing feeling in this house is that Waldo has only just stepped out for a moment and will be right back. You’ll be invited to sit on the sofa in Mr. Emerson’s study, admire the books and artwork, and hear how he wrote the final drafts of Nature from his comfortable rocking chair.
Last, and depending on your chosen itinerary, we’ll either travel down the road to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, or a couple miles further out to Walden Pond.
Sleepy Hollow is most famous for the area known as “Authors Ridge”, where you’ll find the graves of Hawthorne, Emerson, Alcott, Thoreau and their respective families. There you’ll be regaled with a number of diverting stories while we soak in the atmosphere of this sacred place; some sweet, some sad and some, downright bizarre.
Walden Pond is the location of Thoreau’s famous cabin; the two years he spent there being the subject of his book, Walden. We’ll take time to view the replica cabin which is open to the public, and, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, we can walk the 1/4 mile trail along the Pond’s edge to the original cabin site, where a surprise awaits!
In inclement weather, or for groups who don’t wish for either outdoor excursion, we’ll head to Thoreau Farm Trust, birthplace of Henry David. The farm was completely renovated and restored during 2009/2010 and is the perfect backdrop from which to interpret this most influential man and his far-reaching ideas.
Explore Concord’s rich, literary past by following the series of events that lead to a remarkable confluence of authors residing here in 1846. Beginning with the native Algonquin’s and their use of the surrounding land and waters, we’ll discuss the royally sanctioned European settlement of 1635, to “the shot heard ‘round the world”, and right through to the second revolution of the mid-nineteenth century: The American Renaissance, which would strongly impact American literature and society as we know it.
Armed with this knowledge and background of Concord, our first stop is The Old Manse, where in a sense, it all began.
Cost:
$129 per person. (minimum of 8 people)
Includes: Coach transportation throughout your entire tour*, two dedicated and knowledgeable tour guides, admission to all museums and historic sites, parking fees, a Gatepost Tours tote bag and free shipping (US only) of any purchases made during your tour.
(*within Concord - round trip service from the greater Boston area is available for an additional charge)
When:
Depart anytime between
10 am and 2pm*
Wednesday-Saturday
(*available year round with reservations)
Duration:
About 4 hours
How to reserve:
Call 978.399.8229 or 508.309.8124. Or email [email protected]
Minimum of two weeks advance notice.
Itinerary: The Old Manse, Orchard House, Emerson House and your choice of Walden Pond or Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.*
(*Alternative arrangements may need to be made off-season or in case of inclement weather.)
A literary tour of Concord and the “second revolution” which began not with a shot, but with a pen...
a little irreverent. a lot of fun.
Photo credit, unknown. (but thank you!)
