From The House of Little Women

BY JAN TURNQUIST

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents, grumbled Jo . . .” The irony — the beautiful irony — of Louisa May Alcott’s opening words in Little Women is striking, as the ultimate message of the book is quite the opposite of its iconic opening line. Readers of Little Women simply begin a journey that leads to a boldly empowering expansion of the heart. We follow along with the March sisters as for something other than self and sharing what gifts they possess are far more fulfilling than receiving presents.

Looking at life through a Little Women lens, we broaden our scope to see that the March sisters truly yearn and strive for personal agency in order to become the best version of themselves, regardless of the opinion of others, and often despite their own flaws and struggles. Tomboy Jo March defies the conventions of her day, which would have her act “proper” and “lady-like,” by instead exuberantly being herself. For more than 150 years, people of all cultures and circumstances have taken heart from the lessons of Little Women and found encouragement to embrace their own uniqueness and live their own story.

Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House

©Trey Powers

Over the course of 108 years, millions of visitors from all over the world have come to regard Orchard House as a place of inspiration…

Over the course of 108 years, millions of visitors from all over the world have come to regard Orchard House as a place of inspiration as well as an authentically preserved historic home. While many visitors are interested in the accuracy and authenticity of our guided tour experience, they are awestruck by the rare opportunity to see the modest desk where Louisa May Alcott penned a beloved novel set in this very house. The desk itself, built by A. Bronson Alcott for his daughter, is inspiring in its simplicity and as a symbol of a father’s encouragement of his daughter’s talent. No matter how many times they return, however, visitors often comment that what draws them back - often repeatedly - isn’t an artifact as much as it is the palpable sense of inspiration and aspiration contained within Orchard House. The Alcotts, who served as the real-life models for the Marches of Little Women, seem to still somehow be present in every room. Being surrounded by their possessions only reinforces the unshakable feeling that they may be back at any moment. Perhaps it is more that we carry them within us. Although words fail to adequately describe these intangibles, they are what make it both an honor and a pleasure to interpret and preserve Orchard House for our visitors.

Desk in Louisa May Alcott’s bedchamber within Orchard House, where Little Women was written and set in 1868

©Trey Powers

On March 13, 2020, however, after becoming increasingly aware of the dangers of COVID-19, we made the difficult decision to close, as our very small rooms make it impossible to comply with social distancing protocols. I readily admit that this was particularly frustrating, given that 2020 held the promise of being the best year ever for Orchard House, with an anticipated 350% increase in visitation fueled by the success of SONY Pictures’ Little Women movie. We hired and trained new guides, created innovative touring strategies, and stocked our Museum Store plentifully. This was to be “our moment,” and our staff was ready to meet it with resilience and joy.

Scene from SONY Pictures’ Little Women

Courtesy Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House

Undaunted, I began to host weekly Facebook Live events, affectionately named “Hope, and Keep Busy” broadcasts, as they are inspired by this beautiful Alcott motto. Thousands tune in on Sundays at 2:00 pm EST as we explore wide-ranging themes with some surprises along the way. Mini-tours of Orchard House, our beautiful gardens and accessible pathways, and occasional virtual guest interviews have become popular components of these broadcasts. We endeavor to uplift our audiences despite being unable to welcome them inside the house. We continue to hear of their enduring connections to this home of remarkable authenticity and touching stories. We are proud to be a vital portal to understanding one of the most important chapters of American history.

We adapted many in-person programs and events to a virtual format such as our annual Benefit Walk/Run, summer youth workshops, and adult education presentations. We augmented our website resources to include more digital artifact discoveries, educational materials, and a living history tour. Our online Museum Store now features “Hope, and Keep Busy” inspired merchandise. As I write this, all Concord second graders are experiencing a virtual field trip to Orchard House and lively interaction with our living history portrayers, as we continue our decades- long partnership with our public school local history curriculum.

As much as we have enjoyed the challenge to our creativity and resourcefulness that virtually presenting Orchard House requires, we know nothing can replace the indescribable joy our visitors express when physically present inside. We keenly feel this loss, too, having worked so hard to prepare for a completely different 2020 experience. We know that many non-profits and businesses are suffering now as are we, but also like so many others we are full of gratitude! Our entire staff is healthy and as enthusiastic as ever. Our supporters stand with us as we look forward to welcoming them inside Orchard House with bright smiles and big hearts. Until then we continue to “Hope, and Keep Busy!” louisamayalcott.org

Since 1999, as Executive Director of Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, Jan Turnquist has also shared the Alcott legacy in internationally acclaimed Alcott living history portrayals and an Emmy-winning documentary, now airing on PBS, Orchard House, Home of Little Women, which she wrote and directed.

Please consider supporting Orchard House with a donation at louisamayalcott.org

Courtesy Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House