©Copyright 2011 Gatepost Tours, LLC
Why is the inside of this man’s
ear so interesting?
That is a most excellent question. And we have a theory. But you’ll have to come on one of our tours to find out what it is.
First off, why come to Concord at all?
Because we promise you’ll be completely amazed at what’s happened in this little town over the last four centuries! Or at least, kinda impressed.
Concord is home to so many things: the first battle of the American Revolution. Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House and Little Women. Henry David Thoreau’s Walden Pond experiment and his night of “civil disobedience”. Ralph Waldo Emerson’s, Nature. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s three-year honeymoon.
The Concord Grape. The “shot heard ‘round the world.” Five Little Peppers. Transcendentalism. Oh, and that sculptor who created the Lincoln Memorial? You know, the one in Washington DC....Yeah, he’s buried here in Sleepy Hollow. (Interested yet? ‘Cause we’ve got a lot more!)
Why can’t we just walk around and
see everything on our own?
You can - and we highly recommend the experience! However, if you do plan to visit, say, Walden Pond, did you know it has a daily visitor limit? And that it’s almost two miles away from town center with no public transport? Sure, Thoreau may have enjoyed this leisurely walk, but he didn’t worry about being turned away once he got there.
In addition to the scattered nature of the historic sites, they’re all owned and operated by different organizations and maintain varying admission fees and hours. Public house-tours often fill to capacity during the busy season, which means there’s a risk of missing out on some sites entirely.
But with Gatepost your admissions are all prepaid, your entry to each house or site pre-booked, and your entire experience narrated by two knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides who will be delighted to answer all your questions. Keep it easy and relaxed! Let us do all the hard work and ensure that you have the best visit possible.
Click through the links below to read more about Concord and some random, fun history.
When are you open and how long do the tours last?
We’re open for business year round, Wednesday-Saturday, except most major holidays. A few of the historic houses do close for the winter season, therefore slight variations to tours and itineraries may be necessary November-April.
Coach tours last approximately 3.5 to 4 hours and can be booked for departure anytime before 2:00 pm. Custom tours will differ in timing and length according to your chosen itinerary while walking tours are around an hour. More detailed info is available on each tours’ page.
Why do I have to call or email you to book a tour?
Due to the specialized, quality nature of our excursions and the amount of coordination between all the historic sites, it just isn’t feasible to take online bookings. Besides, we’re all about a personalized experience, so how can we arrange your ideal visit to Concord if we don’t get to know you better?
Lots of information on Concord, our tours and general things you might be wondering about.
How large of a group can we bring at one time?
Our maximum tour size is 24 people*. This is a result of space limitations within each historic house, and also so we don’t lose that important and intimate connection with you, our visitors!
*Special arrangements can be made for larger groups
Why do all your coach tours require advance reservations?
To ensure the itinerary or tour package you’ve chosen. Most of the places we visit are fully booked throughout the summer and fall, so they require advance reservations from Gatepost as well. The sooner you make your reservation, the easier it is to guarantee!
After a booking is made, if unforeseen circumstances arise, or inclement weather, we’ll do our absolute best to provide an alternative, but equally enjoyable itinerary.
When is payment required and what is your refund policy?
A 50% deposit is required no later than two weeks prior to your scheduled tour date**. Because of the domino effect our bookings have on each historic site or interpreter we partner with, if a tour is cancelled after it’s arranged and the deposit paid, there are no refunds available.
**With the exception of walking tours in which case payment is made just prior to departure.
Some nineteenth-century advice on marriage:
From physician William Alcott’s, The Young Man’s Guide, on how to choose a suitable wife, 1839:
“If a young farmer or mechanic marry a girl, who has been brought up only to ‘play music;’ to draw, to sing, to waste paper, pen and ink in writing long and half romantic letters, and to see shows, and plays, and read novels—if a young man do marry such an unfortunate young creature, let him bear the consequences with temper…Lovers may live on very aerial diet, but husbands stand in need of something more solid...” Obviously, this fine doctor never met the Hawthornes.
Some advice to women from the anonymously published, The Daughter’s Own Book, 1833:
“Do not marry a man who is deficient in understanding, or in mental acquisitions. I do not mean that you should look for an intellect of the highest order, or that you should consider yourself entitled to it; but I mean that a woman of decent intelligence can never be happy with a fool…” Somehow, we don’t think this was much of a problem in 19th century Concord!
a little irreverent. a lot of fun.
