Boston For Book Lovers, Part 2
The House of Seven Gables
Photo uploaded by gailf548
If you’re up for a little jaunt, these locations are just outside of Boston!
Concord Museum: Established in 1886, this museum is not only home to the famed lantern of Longfellow’s “Paul Revere’s Ride,” but also houses the world’s largest collection of Thoreau’s possessions and the contents of Emerson’s study. Showcasing Walden Pond memorabilia and decorative arts from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, the Concord Museum is nationally recognized for its sizable collections. “Building Thoreau’s Boat,” a recreation of the boat he and his brother built for a river trip in 1839, is on display until January 6, 2008.
House of Seven Gables: As Hawthorne wrote in his first chapter of The House of Seven Gables, “Half-way down a by-street of one of our New England towns, stands a rusty wooden house, with seven acutely peaked gables, facing towards various points of the compass, and a huge, clustered chimney in the midst…” Built in 1668 and also known as the Turner-Ingersoll mansion, this is the house that inspired the Nathaniel Hawthorne novel of the same name. As New England’s oldest wooden mansion, it also includes some of the country’s oldest Georgian interiors and secret staircases leading up to the mysteries of the gables.
Walden Pond: The idyllic spot made famous in Thoreau’s Walden is open to the public as a spot for fishing, swimming, walking, and hiking along the many trails. The site houses a replica of the house that Thoreau lived in from 1845-1847 and offers guided walks of the area. His book is also credited with inspiring environmental awareness and urging readers to treat nature with respect.
Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard Home: The setting for Alcott’s famed Little Women, Orchard House in Concord, MA is a must-see attraction for anyone who has read the classic book! Guests have remarked that “tours through the house are like walking through the book itself.” Delve into the home that the Alcott’s knew and loved through its architectural details and the original family artifacts and artwork covering the interiors. Learn about the real life family members who inspired the characters in the novel as well as the artistic, political, philosophical, and theatrical achievements that make the Alcotts one of America’s most cherished families.
Old Manse: As written by Hawthorne in the beginning of Mosses From an Old Manse, “Between two tall gateposts of roughhewn stone…we behold the gray front of the old parsonage, terminating the vista of an avenue of black ash trees.” Hawthorne, Emerson, and Thoreau spent time at the Old Manse living and writing. Rich with literary history, the Old Manse includes a recreation of Thoreau’s vegetable garden, the place where Emerson drafted his essay “Nature,” and Hawthorne’s writing desk. There are also trails that connect the Old Manse to the North Bridge along the Concord River, allowing guests to take a leisurely stroll around this historic landmark.
See also: Boston for Book Lovers, Park 1
Planning a trip to Boston? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Boston Card.
[…] See also: Boston for Book Lovers, Park 1 Boston for Book Lovers, Part 2 […]