Click on an item below to find out which Chamber businesses may help you in planning your visit to Concord:
Historic Sites & Museums
| Authors’ Ridge Bedford Street |
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is the final resting place of Louisa May Alcott, Amos Bronson Alcott, Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Marriet Milford Stone Lothrop (Margaret Sidney). Open daily from dawn to dusk. |
| Battle Road Trail Route 2A in Lexington Tel. 978-369-6993 |
Historic sites in the Battle Road area of the park are connected by the Battle Road Trail. This five-mile pathway, for walking, bicycle or wheelchair, follows remnants of the historic road, and visits historic houses, farming fields, wetlands, and forests. |
| Concord Art Association 37 Lexington Road Office: 978-369-2578 concordart.org |
The Art Association is located in the Jonathan Ball house. The Art Association houses a permanent collection of paintings, sculpture, miniature paintings, and furniture. There are monthly exhibitions of contemporary art. Open all year. Closed Mondays. No admission charge. Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday Noon to 4:00 p.m. |
| Concord Free Public Library 129 Main Street Tel. 978-318-3300 |
Special collections. Open Monday – Thursday – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Closed Sunday. Summer Hours (July & August) –Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission free. |
| Concord Museum On Cambridge Turnpike at Lexington Road Office: 978-369-9763 Recorded Info: 978-369-9609 Group Tour Reservations: 978-369-9763 concordmuseum.org |
Featuring a renowned historical collection, American literary treasures, a nationally-significant collection of Concord clocks, silver and furniture in self-touring galleries with the Exploring Concord film. Special events include Family Trees: A Celebration of Children’s Literature, Warm Words Storytelling Festival, an annual golf tournament, a June garden tour, and lectures, family activities, and walking tours. Group guided tours and educational programs for school groups available by reservation. January thru March: Monday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Sunday, 1:00-4:00 p.m. April/May and September through December: Monday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Sunday, 12:00-5:00 p.m. June thru August: Everyday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Admission: $10 Adults; $8 Seniors (62 and over); $8 Students (with valid ID); $5 Youth (6-18); Free to children under 6 and Museum Members. |
| The Drinking Gourd Project A project of the Concord-Carlisle Human Rights Council P.O. Box 744 Concord, MA drinkinggourd.cchumanrights.org |
Concord’s African American and Abolitionist HistoryThe Drinking Gourd is another name for the Big and Little Dippers. The North Star pointed out by these constellations was a guiding light for travelers heading North to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Click here for map of sites connected to this history. |
| The Liberty Ride Lexington Tel. 781-862-0500 x702 libertyride.us |
A Unique Tour of Lexington & Concord – Ride along the historic Battle Road while your costumed guide recounts the exciting events of April 19, 1775 and the literary legacy that defined American identity and culture. 90 minute tour stops at all historic sites and attractions. Easy on/off stops close to local attractions, hotels, shopping, and dining. Free re-boarding. Operating May 29 through October 31, 2010.. $25 adults/ $10 students. 4 buses daily, 1o:00am – 4:00pm. |
| Major John Buttrick House at Minute Man National Historical Park Tel. 978-318-7823 |
Limited Bookings for Groups/Corporate Lunch Tours. ½ hour to 1 hour tour of North Bridge and lunch at Major John Buttrick House. |
| Minute Man National Historic Park Tel. 978-369-6993 nps.gov/mima |
The park preserves and interprets the significant historic sites, structures, and landscapes associated with the opening of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775. The park includes the North Bridge, site of “the shot heard round the world,” the Minute Man Statue, and the first four miles of the Battle Road. The park also preserves The Wayside, The Hartwell Tavern, and The Brooks House. |
| Minute Man Visitor Center Route 2A in Lexington 1/2 mile west of I-95 (Mass. Route 128) Exit 30B Tel. 781-674-1920 |
Features an award-winning multimedia theater program, “The Road To Revolution,” which provides a good introduction to the events at Lexington and Concord. Shows daily every half hour from 9:00 am. Visitor Center is open daily March 29 – October 26 – 9 :00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Open daily from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm October 27 – November 30, 2008. Closed Thanksgiving Day. Closed November 27 through March 31. Admission is free. |
| North Bridge Visitor Center 174 Liberty Street Tel. 978-369-6993 |
Exhibits and bookstore are located in the Buttrick Mansion. The historic garden is especially attractive late May – early June. Open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. from March 29 – October 26, 2008.. Reduced hours in winter. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Ranger Program: “The Two Revolutions” daily at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Meet at the benches by the North Bridge for 20 minute program. |
| The Old Manse 269 Monument Street Next to the North Bridge Tel. 978-369-3909 thetrustees.org |
Historic house museum offering guided tours. Open mid-April through October: Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays and holidays from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. The last tour begins by 4:30 p.m. each day. Open weekends from the end of November through mid-December. Off-season group tours and education programs are available upon request. Admission charge. $8 – Adults, $7 – Seniors and students, $5 – Youths, 6-17, $25 – family rate. Members of The Trustees of Reservations are admitted free for regular tours and half-price for special events. |
| Orchard House 399 Lexington Road Tel. 978-369-4118 louisamayalcott.org |
The Alcott family home, where Louisa May Alcott wrote “Little Women” in 1868. Tours, children’s programming for a summer lecture series, and living history programs are offered. The Concord School of Philosophy is located on their grounds as well as the gift shop. Tour Hours are April 1-Oct. 31, Monday through Saturday – 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday – 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. November 1-March 31, Monday through Friday – 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday – 10:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Sunday – 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Admission charge: $9 – Adults, $8 – Seniors and college students. $5 – Youth, 6-17 Children under 6-Free, Family rate: 2 adults, and up to 4 youths – $25.00. |
| Ralph Waldo Emerson House 28 Cambridge Turnpike Tel. 978-369-2236 rwe.org |
The home of the American writer from 1835 to 1882. There are 30-minute tours of the home, grounds and gardens. Group tours available. Open April 24 – October 26: Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday: 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday Holidays: 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Admission charge: $8 – Adult, $6 Senior and Students, under 17, Free – under 7. |
| The Shop at Walden Pond 915 Walden Street Across from Walden Pond Tel. 978-287-5477 shopatwaldenpond.org |
Browse a selection of books, clothing and gift items when visiting beautiful and historic Walden Pond Open March 1 – May 23, 10am – 5pm; May 24 – September 1, 9am-6pm; September 2 – November 1, 10am – 5pm; November 1 – December 23, 10am – 4pm. ; December 24 – March, open daily, please call for hours. Free short-term parking for Shop customers. |
| Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Just East of Concord Center on Rt. 62, then turn left into cemetery. |
Beautiful planned cemetery with ridges and natural bowls framing a wide variety of stones and memorials. “Author’s Ridge” is home of the graves of Henry David Thoreau, Nathanial Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, among other notables. Also visit the Civil War memorial sculpted by Daniel Chester French. Open year round, daylight hours. Free. |
| The Thoreau Society 341 Virginia Road Tel. 978-369-5310 thoreausociety.org |
The Thoreau Society is the oldest and largest organization devoted to an American author and is dedicated to promoting Thoreau’s life and works through education, outreach, and advocacy. The Society hosts an Annual Gathering in July. |
| The Walden Woods Project The Thoreau Institute Juliet Trofi 44 Baker Farm, Lincoln Tel. 781-259-4700 walden.org/institute |
A research and education center devoted to Thoreau and Walden Woods. Open to the public Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please call ahead to schedule a visit. |
| Walden Pond State Reservation Ranger Station at 915 Walden Street Tel. 978-369-3254 massparks.org |
Open daily all year – 5:00 a.m. – sunset. Admission free. Parking – $5. Seasonal parking pass, MA – $35, Non-MA – $45. Parking free with Senior Pass. Groups must make reservations. Bus fee – $30 without reservations, $10 with reservations. |
| The Wayside 455 Lexington Road Tel. 978-369-6993 or 918-318-7862 or 7863 nps.gov/mima/wayside |
The Wayside was home to three families of authors: the Alcotts, Nathanial Hawthorne, and Margaret Sidney. Open by guided tour only from May 27 – October 29, 2006 – Thursday at 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.; Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. Tours are limited to 10 people and last 40 minutes. Closed Monday through Wednesday. $5 for adults; free for people 16 years or younger. |
… near Concord…
| 35-acre setting with Museum and Sculpture Park showcasing modern and contemporary American artworks with a cafe a museum gift shop. Open Tuesday thru Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and selected Monday holidays. The Sculpture Park is open year round during daylight hours. Admission charge. Parking is free. | |
| Codman House Codman Road, Lincoln Tel. 781-259-8843 |
1735 House with eclectic architectural features richly furnished with portraits, memorabilia, and art works. The grounds feature a hidden Italianate garden with perennial beds, statuary, and a reflecting pool filled with waterlilies. Annual events include an Antique Vehicle Meet in July and an Artisans’ Crafts Fair in September. |
| Discovery Museums 171 Main St, Rt. 27, Acton Tel. 978-264-4200 discoverymuseums.org |
Make exciting discoveries through hands-on exploration in two age-appropriate museums. Younger children explore the wonders of creative play in an intimate setting at the Children’s Discovery Museum. Older children experience science with open-ended, interactive exhibits at the Science Discovery Museum. Call or check website for hours as they change seasonally. |
| Fruitlands Museums 102 Prospect Hill Road, Harvard 978-456-3924 fruitlands.org |
A 210-acre complex including four buildings: Fruitlands Farmhouse, site of Bronson Alcott’s 1843 Utopia experiment. Shaker House, Native American Museum and Picture Gallery with primitive portraits and Hudson River landscapes. Luncheon facilities and gift shop. Open May thru October, weekdays – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Admission charge. |
| Hartwell Tavern Virginia Road off Route 2A in Lincoln On the historic Battle Road Trail; Parking lot on Route 2A in Lincoln Tel. 978-369-6993 |
Costumed interpreters and historic craft and musket firing demonstrations. Ranger Programs: “Who Were the Minute Men?” 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.; “Life Along the Battle Road ” 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Open weekends only April 16 – May 28, 2005 – 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Open daily May 28 – October 30, 2005 – 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |
| Historic New England’s Gropius House 68 Baker Bridge Road, Lincoln Tel. 781-259-8098 historicnewengland.org |
Walter Gropius, founder of the German design school known as the Bauhaus, was one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. He designed this house as his family home in 1937, when he came to teach at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. The Gropius House is a National Historic Landmark. |
| National Heritage Museum 33 Marrett Road, Lexington Tel. 781-861-6559 monh.org |
“Lexington Alarm’d!” presents details of daily life in this farming village on the eve of the Revolution. Changing exhibitions document American history and popular culture. Open Monday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday, Noon – 5:00 p.m. Free admission and parking. |
| The Thoreau Institute at Walden Woods 44 Baker Farm, Lincoln Tel. 781-259-4700 |
Open all year, Monday-Friday – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. by appointment. Free admission. |
