The commonwealth of Massachusetts has a deep literary history. Many notable writers, authors and poets were born here, lived here, or passed through for extended periods of time. While places of literary interest can be found throughout the state, one town that stands out for its strong literary roots is Concord, Massachusetts.

Perhaps best known for the “shot heard round the world,“ during the Revolutionary War, Concord was also home to some of Massachusetts’ most renowned writers, including Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau. If you enjoy American literature and its history, Concord is an exceptional place to visit and explore.

Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House.

Concord’s Literary History: Orchard House

399 Lexington Rd, Concord, MA 01742

Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women was one of my favorite books growing up. So when I learned that Emma Watson was here in Boston filming for the Greta Gerwig-directed version of the movie slated to come out next year, I was inspired to revisit the beloved novel.

Alcott wrote and set Little Women in Orchard House, her family home located in Concord. The story is largely inspired by Alcott’s family, including herself and her three sisters. It is based on real-life events that took place during their time living in Massachusetts during the Civil War.

When touring Orchard House, you can visit Louisa’s bedroom (which still contains her desk, a sample of her writing, her book collection, original artwork from her youngest sister May and a quilt sewn by her mother). And you can also see original sketches and artwork done by May (portrayed as Amy in the book) on the walls, furniture and other places throughout the house. More than 80 percent of the items in the house belonged to the Alcott family.

Visits are offered by guided tour only. I’d definitely recommend re-reading Little Women (or watching the movie) before you go. There are lots of parallels between the novel and Alcott’s real life. And the guides reference many items in the home as they were portrayed in the book.

The museum is open year round. Tours take about 45 minutes.

Exterior of The Wayside.

Concord’s Literary History: The Wayside

455 Lexington Rd, Concord, MA 01742

Before the Alcott family moved into Orchard House, they resided just steps away, in a home they called “Hillside.” Ardent abolitionists, the family hid at least one runaway slave as part of the Underground Railroad during their time there. Part of Minute Man National Historical Park, the site is now a National Historic Landmark, and is also part of the National Park Services’ “National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom” program.

After the Alcott’s moved, the home was purchased by author Nathaniel Hawthorne, who named it The Wayside, as it’s known today. (You can also visit Hawthorne’s birthplace and house that inspired The House of the Seven Gables in nearby Salem.) After Hawthorne’s death, the home was purchased by Daniel Lothrop and his wife Harriet, who penned children’s books under the name Margaret Sidney. Best known for her Five Little Peppers series, Harriet Lothrop was also a preservationist, and had much to do with the preservation of both Orchard House and The Wayside.

Open seasonally June-October, tours of the property are offered by Park Rangers at specific times (check here before you go). Tours touch on the history on the home’s famous inhabitants, as well as on its role in the Underground Railroad. The house is just a block away from Orchard House, with which it shares a parking lot. 

The Ralph Waldo Emerson House.

Concord’s Literary History: Ralph Waldo Emerson’s House

28 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA 01742

The heart of the American Transcendentalist movement, The Ralph Waldo Emerson House is located just down the street from Orchard House and The Wayside. Still owned by the Emerson family, the house contains many of its original furnishings, and many of Emerson’s personal effects. Open seasonally April – October by guided tour, check the website before you go for tour times.

The home is also located just across the street from the Concord Museum, which is home to the furniture and books of Emerson’s study. Currently undergoing significant renovations, The Rasmussen Center for Education at the museum remains open. The center has over 100 historical highlights from the museum on display. Highlights include Paul Revere’s lantern and Henry David Thoreau’s desk. Open year round, hours change seasonally, so check the website before you go.

Exterior of The Old Manse.

Concord’s Literary History: The Old Manse

269 Monument St, Concord, MA 01742

A National Historic Landmark, The Old Manse is a historic home situated on the banks of the Concord River. It overlooks the Old North Bridge where the famous Battle of Concord was fought, igniting the start of the American Revolutionary War. Inhabited by both Nathaniel Hawthorne and Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Old Manse has an interesting literary history, much like The Wayside. Hawthorne and his wife Sophia lived in the house immediately after they married, and you can see poems that they wrote each other etched into the glass of window panes in the house.

The grounds of The Old Manse are open year round, and visitors can explore the property for free. You can also take a guided tour, with the choice of a full tour (approx. 45 minutes) or a highlight tour (approx. 20-25 minutes). Highlight tours focus on a single topic, including “Emerson and Transcendentalism”, “The Hawthorne’s”, and “The Attic of the Old Manse”. Longer tours include exploration of the Women of The Old Manse, along with the Home to Two Revolutions tour, which touches on the complete history of the home. Open year round, hours change seasonally, so be sure to check the website before you go.

Replica of Thoreau’s Cabin at Walden Pond.

Concord’s Literary History: Walden Pond

915 Walden St., Concord, MA 01742

Walden Pond State Reservation is one of the most popular spots in Concord for locals and visitors alike. Made famous by Henry David Thoreau’s book Walden, Thoreau lived in solitude in a small cabin on its shores for more than two years in his attempt to live closer with nature.

The pond remains a great spot for reflection – especially in the less busy fall and winter months. A peaceful place, the pond offers a sandy beach for swimmers and sunbathers in the spring and summer. It also offers plenty of space for picnics and fishing. The reservation also offers hiking trails through wooded areas – which are especially spectacular in the fall with lush foliage. In the winter months, it’s a popular spot for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

The reservation offers a newly built, solar-powered Visitor Center with interactive exhibits about the pond and Thoreau’s life there. It also offers a replica of the cabin Thoreau lived in from 1845-1847. 

If you go, parking is available in four lots for $15 for out-of-state license plates, and $8 for in-state plates. You can also take the MBTA to the Concord station and take a taxi or Uber to get to the pond. Open year round, parking lots are open from 8:00am – 5:30pm.

Author’s Ridge at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

Concord’s Literary History: Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

34 Bedford St, Concord, MA 01742

Finally, an exploration of Concord’s literary history isn’t complete without a visit to pay respects to Concord’s famous writers are Author’s Ridge in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. About a 15-minute walk from the center of town, Author’s Ridge is the final resting place of Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau. Visitors often leave pens, notes and poems on the author’s gravestones, which you’ll see if you visit.

Other Places to Explore in Concord

If you do travel to explore Concord’s literary history, it’s also worth visiting the downtown area for a bite to eat and perhaps some shopping. A few suggestions of stops to round out your trip follow below:

• The Concord Cheese Shop: If you love cheese and wine, you should absolutely pop into The Concord Cheese Shop. In addition to a fantastic variety of cheeses (which you can sample at the counter), the shop also offers fresh breads, sandwiches, salads and a large wine selection.
• The Colonial Inn: Dating back to 1716, The Colonial Inn is a charming spot with lots of history. It’s great place to stay when visiting town. The inn also offers two restaurants (including a tavern) and dining on its charming outdoor patio in warmer months. A wonderful place to grab a bite or a drink when in town.
• The Toy Shop of Concord: One of America’s first specialty toy stores, the Toy Shop of Concord offers fun for all ages. It’s a great place to bring the kids, or pick up a gift for the little ones in your life. With an old-fashioned vibe, it’s a fun spot to explore.
• The Concord Book Shop: I love a good book store, and could spend all day in The Concord Book Shop. It’s fun to browse and to see the staff picks. The shop also offers a regular series of events, including book signings, readings and more.
• Sally Ann’s Bakery: There’s no better way to complete your visit than with a sweet treat from Sally Anne’s Bakery. Try one of their delicious sandwiches for lunch, and be sure to check out their selection of pastries, danishes and desserts. Highlights include homemade scones and coffee cakes.

What are your favorite places to explore in Concord? Let us know what you enjoy most in the comments below!