9 minute read
Thoughtful Places in Concord
BY JENNIFER C. SCHÜNEMANN
One of the most important decisions we can make is where to spend our time – either on a visit, or when thinking about where to put down roots and build a family and community. One of the aspects of Concord that attracts so many people from around the world to come here – to spend time, or to stay – is the unique essence of ‘place.’ Surrounded by history, entrenched in natural beauty, and infused with culture, art, and constant opportunities to learn, Concord is a truly special place. Here are a few of our favorite places – we hope you will enjoy them as you continue to Discover Concord:
THE ARTS IN CONCORD
Concord is home to a thriving art scene. In Concord Center, you will find multiple art galleries featuring classics to contemporary works.
The Umbrella Arts Center hosts more than 50 working studio artists, art classrooms, ceramic facilities, a dance studio, a stunning gallery space, a professional theatre company and two stages to accommodate their outstanding performances, as well as an outdoor sculpture garden with rotating exhibits. Neighboring 51 Walden is a historic venue for music, theatre, opera, and dance. In West Concord, you will find the Concord Conservatory of Music, the Concord Youth Theatre, Art for All, and ArtScape with its multiple artist studios. Live music and concerts are featured throughout the year in a wide range of venues.
THE CONCORD MUSEUM
Here, you can experience the stories of the Indigenous peoples who lived here long before the first European settlers, learn about the people who shaped Concord during the colonial period, follow the debate around the issue of rebelling against England and the courage of those who rose up to fight in the American Revolution. Feel the passionate beliefs of the abolitionists, read the moving words of the transcendental writers, and immerse yourself in the world of the modern-day thought leaders, artists, and philosophers who continue to push Concord forward. Learn more at ConcordMuseum.org
THE RALPH WALDO EMERSON HOUSE
It is in this place that the Father of American Transcendentalism led a renaissance in American ideas in the 19th century. Here, he gathered friends such as Amos Bronson Alcott, Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, and others to explore the proper role of the individual in society, and to discover and celebrate the interrelation and sacredness of all life. His books, furniture, and objects from around the world are still on display here – inspiring a new generation of thinkers and philosophers. Discover more at RalphWaldoEmersonHouse.org
THE NORTH BRIDGE
One cannot help but be inspired, standing on the North Bridge and contemplating the very first battles of the American Revolution. Preserved as part of the Minute Man National Historical Park, this hallowed ground witnessed “the shot heard ‘round the world” and the first steps in the formation of a new country. Each year on Patriots’ Day, tactical demonstrations and a patriot vigil honor the courage and sacrifice of those who stepped forward nearly 250 years ago. nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/north-bridge-visitor-center.htm
THE OLD MANSE
It’s amazing how much history is wrapped up in this handsome Georgian clapboard house on the banks of the Concord River. Built for Concord’s ‘patriot minister’ William Emerson, the home overlooks the North Bridge, where the famous battle on April 19, 1775, took place. Ralph Waldo Emerson and, later, Nathanial Hawthorne called this place home. Emerson penned his famous essay “Nature” here. And when Hawthorne brought his new bride, Sofia, to Concord, Henry David Thoreau planted an heirloom vegetable garden on the property to honor their wedding. You can palpably feel the history here as you walk the grounds or tour the house. TheTrustees.org/place/ the-old-manse
THE ROBBINS HOUSE
This early 19th century house was formerly inhabited by the firstgeneration descendants of formerly enslaved African American Revolutionary War veteran Caesar Robbins, and by fugitive slave Jack Garrison. Caesar’s granddaughter, Ellen Garrison, was a passionate advocate for educating recently emancipated African Americans. She tested the nation’s first Civil Rights Act in 1866, just after its passage. The stories told here reveal many of the ways in which the first generations of free Concord African Americans pursued independence and contributed to the antislavery movement and the abolitionist cause. RobbinsHouse.org
A fascinating self-guided tour of African American and antislavery history in Concord is available if you scan the QR Code
SCHOOL OF PHILOSOPHY AT THE LOUISA MAY ALCOTT ORCHARD HOUSE
“The Concord Summer School of Philosophy” was founded in 1879 by Amos Bronson Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Franklin Sanborn, and William Torrey Harris. One of the first adult summer schools in the United States, it was largely built upon the ideal of Plato’s Academy. Robust discussions around the emerging philosophy of Transcendentalism were led here by the likes of Julia Ward Howe, William James, and Elizabeth Peabody among others. Hundreds of men and women would travel from across the U.S. and Europe each summer to attend lectures and open discussions of important intellectual, social, and cultural issues of the day. You can visit the school as part of a tour of Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House – the beautifully preserved home where Louisa May Alcott lived when she penned the beloved novel Little Women. LouisaMayAlcott.org
SLEEPY HOLLOW CEMETERY
This final resting place of Concordians since 1855 is a beautiful place for contemplation. Designed as a natural “garden of the living” as much as a place to honor the dead, its graceful trails wind amongst tall trees. Authors’ Ridge contains the graves of Concord’s most famous writers and thinkers, including Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Daniel Chester French’s “Mourning Victory,” commissioned by James C. Melvin, honors the sacrifice of his three brothers lost in the Civil War (a replica can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City). The sculptor himself is also buried here. Walking along, you’ll even find the graves of Ephraim Bull (he developed the Concord Grape), Frank Sanborn (member of the “Secret Six” who funded John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry), Katharine K. Davis (composer of “The Little Drummer Boy”), and many others. Find an interactive tour here
WALDEN POND
One of the most iconic nature walks in the Concord area, Walden Pond provides an enchanting combination of ecology, literature, and history. Walden ‘pond’ is actually a 102-footdeep kettle hole formed by a melting glacier more than 12,000 years ago. It is Massachusetts’ deepest natural body of fresh water. There are several walking trails around Walden Pond, including side trails that will bring you to the site of the cabin where Henry David Thoreau famously spent two years, two months, and two days living simply in nature and discovering what it could teach him. In addition to several trail options, visitors can enjoy a refreshing swim or a (nonmotorized) boating adventure. The Walden Pond State Reservation is an extremely popular destination in the warm summer months. To protect this precious natural resource, the park closes to the public once it reaches a set capacity – so please check the website for updates before heading out for your next adventure here. Mass.Gov/locations/ walden-pond-state-reservation
THE WRIGHT TAVERN
Located in the heart of Concord Center, this humble tavern built in 1747 has witnessed some of the most important moments in the history of the United States of America. In October of 1774, the founding fathers took the decision to rebel against the crown right here in the building, during the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. On the fateful day of April 19, 1775, area minutemen gathered here to plan their response to the impending arrival of the crown’s soldiers. Later that same day, Colonel Smith and Major Pitcairn took over the Wright Tavern and made it their de facto headquarters as their “regulars” searched the town for munitions. Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1961, a concerted effort is now underway to restore the Wright Tavern to its original purpose as a gathering place for the sharing of stories over a pint. WrightTavern.org
CONCORD’S RIVERS AND TRAILS
The stunning beauty in and around Concord is a fundamental part of the attraction for so many who come here. Well maintained trails invite one to ‘Open all your pores and bathe in all the tides of Nature’ as Thoreau wrote about in his journal in 1853. The Japanese also have a similar expression, Shinrin Yoku, referring to the peaceful feeling that comes from spending time in nature and away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The transcendentalists believed that nature was the path to the divine –and Concord provides many opportunities to seek that spiritual peace.
Nature can be explored by water as well! The Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers are named as Wild and Scenic Rivers by federal law because they are such a treasure. You can rent a canoe or kayak at the South Bridge Boat House and discover these beautiful waterways in tranquility. Scan the QR code to find trail guides and river maps.
This article was made possible by the support of LandVest.
