14 Things to See & Do in Concord this Summer

1 Spend an afternoon with Charles Dickens.

Concord Free Public Library presents Rick Corbo in the persona of Charles Dickens as he reads from the great author’s works. Rick is a living historian whose educational background is in theater. He has performed for the award-winning, Connecticut-based puppet company, Elmwood Productions, and starred in the popular EWTN Network series, Saints Versus Scoundrels. He has also performed as Charles Dickens in the original Christmas special titled Reclaiming the Carol, also by ETWN Network, and at museums and libraries across New England. The event will begin with a brief discussion of Louisa May Alcott’s appreciation of Charles Dickens—and her reaction to seeing him perform in Boston, and will include time for questions and answers. June 25 at 2:00 pm. Visit concordlibrary.org for more information.

2 Town Meeting: Let Your Voice Be Heard!

In January 1774, Concord residents were faced with some difficult decisions. A large quantity of tea was destroyed in Boston Harbor a few weeks before. Do they distance themselves from those “Sons of Liberty” who destroy private property? Or do they stand with them against the British government and accept the consequences? This is your chance to debate revolutionary issues with Concord residents of 1774, portrayed by Minute Man National Historical Park staff and volunteers. The issues to be discussed are taken from an actual Concord meeting warrant from that time. In the spirit of a New England town meeting, we will vote after debating each issue. Afterwards we will compare our votes with how the town voted in 1774. June 25, 3:30 pm at the North Bridge. This event will be repeated on August 20. Learn more about Concord’s historic Town Meeting in “Town Meeting: Concord’s Living Wonder” on p. 14. nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/special-event.htm

3 Find out if that old book is valuable.

Concord Museum will host Ken Gloss, proprietor of the internationally known Brattle Book Shop in Boston and frequent guest appraiser on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow. Ken will discuss the value of old and rare books, share some of his favorite finds, and describe the joys of the “hunt” for rare books. Following the forum, Ken will give free verbal appraisals of attendees’ books or will do so at his shop in Boston. June 29 at 7:00 pm. This program will be presented both in-person and online. Visit concordmuseum.org for more information.

Ken Gross

Courtesy of Concord Museum

4 Enjoy colonial crafts and games

to celebrate Independence Day at the Concord Museum. July 2 -3. concordmuseum.org

5 Celebrate our nation's Independence Day at Minute Man National Historical Park.

Join park rangers and volunteers as we mark the 245th anniversary of our nation’s independence with a live, in-person reading of the Declaration of Independence at Concord’s North Bridge. Following the reading, reenactors representing the 10th Massachusetts Regiment will fire three musket volleys in honor of American Independence. July 4 at 2:00 pm.

6 Plan your adventures in Concord

to make the most of your time here. See “Exploring Concord in a Morning, a Day, or a Weekend,” on p. 62 for tips on what to see and do. Turn to “Historic Concord: Plan Your Visit” on p. 37 for websites, hours, and more on local historic sites.

7 Stop by the Old Manse for live outdoor music classes for kids

with Rockabye Beats. Spread out on the beautiful and historic grounds of the Old Manse for this 45-minute class for kids. Children develop an appreciation for music and nature while building their vocabulary in English and Spanish, gross motor skills, and social/ emotional skills! Although these classes are open to all, they are recommended for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the caregivers who love them. Classes will be offered on Fridays at 10:00am on July 15 through August 5. Email sschroth@thetrusttees.org to sign up for classes.

8 Minute Man National Historical Park is open for the season.

Summer is the perfect time to visit the parks historical sites, memorial landscapes, and Visitor Centers. Rangers are ready to answer questions, provide maps, passport stamps, and Junior Ranger materials.

North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty Street, Concord, is open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm daily. Experience the “North Bridge Battlefield Walk” and visit their fascinating array of exhibits.

The North Bridge is open dawn till dusk, year-round, of course, and park rangers are on hand to provide interpretation and daily programs including “Concord’s North Bridge: History and Memory.”

Minute Man Visitor Center, Rt. 2A, Lexington, is open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily. Ranger programs include “Battlefield in a Box” and “Discovering Lexington’s Lost Battlefield.” Don’t miss the exhibits and the Road to Revolution theater!

Hartwell Tavern, Rt. 2A, Lincoln, is open 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Wednesday through Sunday. Park rangers are happy to answer questions and provide information on this historic site. Sign up for the ranger program, “The Minute Men: Neighbors in Arms.”

Visit these websites for more information: nps.gov/mima/ planyourvisit/ranger-programs-and-tours.htm and nps.gov/mima/ planyourvisit/special-event.htm.

The North Bridge

©istock.com/jmorse2000

9 Join a special walk with the Thoreau Sauntering Society.

Henry David Thoreau was a great fan of sauntering and now you can saunter with leading naturalists and learn directly from nature as you observe and reflect. Or saunter alongside historians in the footsteps of Henry David Thoreau and study the layers of history evident in our world. There are two walks coming in July: A Saunter with Peter Alden at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (Saturday, July 16, 8:00am) and “My vicinity affords many good walks;” A Saunter Exploring Thoreau Farm’s Biology & History (Saturday, July 23, 11:00 am). Sign up at thoreaufarm.org.

10 See that lovely bluebird in a whole new light

as the Concord Museum presents Hitchcock’s terrifying and memorable masterpiece, The Birds. The film exemplifies how birds have made their way into all aspects of the human experience, including art and culture. While the special exhibition Alive with Birds celebrates the species and conservation of their habitat, our avian subjects are cast in a more treacherous light in this 1963 classic film. The film will be shown outdoors, so bring a blanket, lawn chairs, and snacks. July 21. concordmuseum.org

Courtesy of Concord Museum

11 Visit the birthplace of Henry David Thoreau.

Take a look at the restored 1730s house listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Wheeler-Minot Farmhouse/Henry David Thoreau Birth House, locally known as Thoreau Farm. The tour includes the lovingly restored second-floor room where Henry David Thoreau was born in 1817. Visits are by guided tour only. Saturdays & Sundays, through October. Go to thoreaufarm.org for more information.

Thoreau Farm

Courtesy of The Thoreau Farm Trust

12 Pedal around town.

The Bike Share program is open once again with two locations: 58 Main Street behind the Visitor Center and the West Concord entrance to the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. Renting is easy, just download the Movatic App and set up an account. Unlock your bike and off you go! Use the code FREE2 when you order your bike through Movatic and your first two hours are free. visitconcord.org/visit/concord-bike-share

13 Join Master Cooper Ron Raiselis

for a look into the 1700s coopering trade and explore why these highly skilled craftspeople were essential to the commerce and survival of a colony. Ron has served as the resident cooper at Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, NH, since 1985, where he maintains a traditional cooperage shop. September 3 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. concordmuseum.org

14 Discover a world of music

at Concord Conservatory of Music’s Discovery Day Open House. Bring the whole family and find out which instrument is right for you during the Instrument Petting Zoo. Learn about adult group classes and introduce your kids to the world of music through singing, dancing, and games. September 10 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Go to concordconservatory.org for more information.

Courtesy of Concord Conservatory of Music