The Old Manse
269 Monument St., Concord, MA
The cornerstone of Concord’s historic attractions, The Old Manse was the town’s political and social center throughout the 19th century, in addition to serving as a home for literary greats. Preserved as a National Historic Landmark, the structure was originally built in 1770 for Rev. William Emerson, and stands adjacent to Concord’s Old North Bridge, where the American Revolutionary War started in 1775.
In addition to its political history, the landmark building also has a rich literary heritage, having been the home of both Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Plus, it served as a meeting ground for other Transcendentalists, including Bronson Alcott, Henry David Thoreau, and Margaret Fuller.
Today, visitors can explore the well-preserved Georgian residence, and admire its original furnishings before wandering through the property’s vegetable gardens and orchards. Guided literary tours from Boston include The Old Manse on the itinerary. On-site tours are also offered, and are tailored around specific themes, including a focus on the women of The Old Manse, along with self-guided tours.
There is an entrance fee to the building; the grounds are free to explore.
Keep in mind that there are no public bathroom facilities on-site.
The Old Manse house is not wheelchair accessible.
The bookstore sells a variety of titles about 19th-century Concord authors, American Transcendentalism, women’s history, and the American Revolution.
The Old Manse is located on Monument Street in Concord, Massachusetts, and is a little less than 1 hour from Boston by car. It’s also reachable via commuter rail on the Fitchburg line. In addition, the property’s stone boathouse provides access by canoe along the Concord River; canoes can be tied up here if you’re visiting the grounds and house.
The Old Manse grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. The interior and gift shop are open Wednesday to Monday, from mid-morning to very early evening, and closed Tuesdays. Every year on Patriots’ Day, which takes place on the third Monday of April, the battle at the North Bridge is reenacted and commemorated with parades, costumes, musket and cannon volleys, and speeches. Check for special hours at The Old Manse on that day.
Many guided tours from Boston combine visits to Lexington and Concord, two towns that are significant to the American Revolution and to US history in general. In Concord, visit the Old North Bridge, Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, and the nature preserve that inspired Thoreau’s Walden, as well as The Old Manse.
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