Exploring Concord in a Morning, a Day, or a Weekend
W Wanderlust became a real thing for many during the pandemic. As a result, people found themselves pining to take trips they had put off previously. Now, as travel returns, we welcome you to Concord. Whether you are in town for an afternoon, are a daytripper, or can spend an entire weekend in town, don’t worry. We have you covered. If You Have a Half Day Spending a half-day in Concord is just enough time to learn about the two revolutions that occurred in our town. The first revolution to know is the American Revolution. Park downtown in one of the free parking lots and saunter up Monument Street to Minute Man National Historical Park. The flat, 1.2 mile walk on paved and crushed stone sidewalks should take about 20 minutes. As you make your way up Monument Street, visualize farmland as all the houses between the Colonial Inn and the Elisha Jones House had not yet been built. Additionally, imagine a lot fewer trees. Concord was founded in 1635, just five years after Boston. It was the first inland settlement of the colony of Massachusetts, where one could not smell the ocean. So,
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Discover CONCORD
| Summer 2022
BY BETH VAN DUZER
what did the first Concordians use to build their homes? Trees. How did they heat their homes? Trees. And, since the colony of Massachusetts had a coast, many trees were used to build ships. By 1775, the town was 80% deforested. Therefore, the shady trees that protect you from the summer sun on your saunter along Monument Street would not have been here almost 250 years ago. About seven-tenths of a mile up the road, you will see the yellow Elisha Jones house. On April 19, the ell of this home had 17,000 pounds of salted cod in its basement. The Regular Army came to Concord to that day to seize munitions and supplies, including food. Today, the National Park Service owns this silent witness house. A little further up the sidewalk on your left will be the Old Manse, a property owned and operated by The Trustees of Reservations that was also a silent witness to the revolution on April 19, 1775. While not part of Minute Man National Historical Park, the Old Manse played a prominent role in the revolution. The patriot preacher, William Emerson, and his family lived there. His wife and children watched the battle from an upstairs window. Just past the Old Manse is the entrance to the National Park.
Follow the dirt path down to see the monument erected in 1836 to pay homage to the men that fought on April 19, 1775. Next, see the the Old North Bridge, which has been rebuilt five times. Across the bridge, you can see the Minute Man Statue, by sculptor Daniel Chester French. Continue to follow the dirt road up to the air-conditioned North Bridge Visitor Center, where you can watch a short movie, view artifacts, and speak to Park Rangers. When you have had your fill of the American Revolution, return downtown via Monument Street. Once you are near the Colonial Inn, cross Monument Street to Court Lane to visit Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. There you will learn about the second revolution that occurred in Concord, the Literary Revolution. Ralph Waldo Emerson is the grandson of our patriot preacher, William Emerson. Before Ralph Waldo Emerson, Concord was where the “shot heard ‘round the world” happened. After his arrival in town and his success as a philosopher, author, and lyceum speaker, he became the voice heard ‘round the world. Because of him, notable figures of the day chose to visit Concord.
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Monument erected in 1836
