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Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sun. 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
5 reviews for Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House
Poor thing needs some TLC.
We went on the tour of this place last Sunday - great day for it.
You make your way around back, pay the $9 for a ticket, and then head to the second building / school out back to watch a short video narrated by Susan Sarrandon. Then, back to the house and into the kitchen. No photos, no cell phones, please. Our guide looked as old as the house. She could have done a better job but was... OK. You visit each room, see some original artwork, hear a few quotes and stories. It was definitely worth the visit because we both love the book and movie of Little Women, but I think the guide could have been better. Plus the poor home needs some TLC. I wish the historic society would sink some more money into maintaining this place!
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Like literature? Like Louisa May Alcott? This is THE place for fans!
For the tight budgeted American literature fan, I went to Concord Library to pick up a pass for free admission. Saved myself $9 for a tour around the house.
The tour starts with a short video about Louisa. Following that is a guided tour around the house. Guide answers questions as we go. She seems to have answers to every single question. May's art is hung all around the house.
I did learn something new today! The Alcotts are related to John Hancock! woahh!!! Some of the descendants of the Alcotts still live in Concord today.
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The tour is 80% for fans of Little Women and 20% fans of transcendentalism and Boston history. The docent-led tour is friendly and they obviously care about the history of Alcott, what they don't really seem to know much about is the home, its contents or the structure. the tour also does not include Mr. Alcott's classroom/lecture hall which is a good portion of the historical significance. If you care about architecture, interiors and period furniture - it is a good place to go if you can mute out the docent and do your own observing.
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Do you think the real Laurie was as hot as Christian Bale? Yeah.. me neither.
My old roommate and I went here because we decided it'd be a fun day trip. She's a HUGE Alcott fan so this was a jolly good time for her. I feel pretty awful because I was that jerk laughing at the Louisa May re-enactor during the beginning of the tour. Good news is that she wasn't there physically (they show you a video). Something about a spider web being a fairy's way of spinning a story? Iunno.. I got the giggles. I apologize to the children.
Our tour guide was a really sweet guy, but he would close his eyes while he was talking or look off into the distance like he was reading a script. He seemed pretty knowledgeable on all things Alcott, so that was cool. The house is pretty interesting. Sadly, a few of the rooms were under construction when I went, so I was brought out of "the moment" a few times. These girls must have been tiny.. like literally little women.. because the beds were so small. I was afraid to touch anything because I didn't want to break it or catch scarlet fever.
I'd go during spring/late winter. Methinks this place could get sweltering during the summer. The store is pretty awesome. It has all things that you could possibly relate to the Alcotts, including a Feminism and Alcott book my roommate was drooling over.
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For the Lousia May Alcott fans, this is Mecca.
Not only does it look just like the house from the movie (I'm sure that's no coincedence), but you actually get to see some artwork by May Alcott (Amy in the book Little Women). All of the tour guides I have had have been very knowledable (even about very obscure things!).
The house also features a sweet little shop that has both current and antique selections of Alcott's novels.
Current rates: $8 for adults, $7 for seniors/students, $5 for children (5-17) and $20 for a family (up to 2 adults and 4 youths)
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Specialties
Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House is one of the oldest and most authentically preserved historic homes in the country. The c. 1690 house is most famous for being where Louisa May Alcott and her family lived for 20 years (1857-1877), and where the beloved classic novel, Little Women, was written and set in 1868.
With nearly 80% of original furnishings on display and no ropes or glass barriers to intrude upon the visit experience, guided tours enable many visitors to feel as if they are "taking a walk through Little Women," while the architecture of the home appeals to those with other interests. Information about family members who had influential ties to the fields of education, social justice, philosophy, and drama broadens awareness of this talented family and their contributions to 19th Century America.
In addition to regular guided tours, unique educational programs and special events for children, adults, and families are offered year round.
History
Established in 1911
"The Home of Little Women" has had a long, rich history well before the 1868 bestseller was published. In the early 1700s, John Hoar and his family of progressive farmers sheltered Christianized Native Americans ("Praying Indians") on the property. On April 19, 1775, the family of a Concord Minuteman watched as hundreds of British Regulars marched by the house on their way to start the Revolutionary War at the North Bridge. After the Alcotts left, the home was occupied by William T. Harris, who would later become Secretary of Education. Being unoccupied for several years after the turn of the 1900s, the house became dilapidated and was in danger of being torn down. Harriet Lothrop (aka Margaret Sydney, author of The Five Little Peppers books) rescued the house by offering it to The Woman's Club of Concord. Finally, in 1911, the not-for-profit Louisa May Alcott Memorial Association was established to oversee operations of the site.