About The Old Manse

9 acres

Experience the site of two American revolutions: the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired nearby – and, less than a century later, Emerson, Hawthorne, and Thoreau spawned a revolution in American philosophy from here.

What makes the Old Manse a special place?
Built in 1770 for patriot minister William Emerson, The Old Manse, a National Historic Landmark, became the center of Concord’s political, literary, and social revolutions over the course of the next century. In the mid-19th-century, leading Transcendentalists such as Bronson Alcott, Henry David Thoreau, and Margaret Fuller discussed the issues of the day here, with the Hawthorne and Ripley families.

A handsome Georgian clapboard building, The Old Manse sits near the banks of the Concord River among rolling fields edged by centuries-old stone walls and graced by an orchard. From upstairs, you can look out over the North Bridge, where the famous battle of April 19, 1775, took place. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne both called the Manse home for a time – and each found inspiration here. Emerson would draft his famous essay “Nature” from an upstairs room, and Hawthorne would write a tribute to the homestead called Mosses from an Old Manse. Hawthorne and his wife, Sophia, started their married life here, and you can still see the poems they wrote to each other, etched on the Manse’s window panes. The heirloom vegetable garden, which has been recreated today, was originally planted by Henry David Thoreau in honor of the Hawthornes’ wedding.

Inside, you’ll find rooms filled with antiques and memorabilia reflecting the tastes of writers, philosophers, politicians, poets, and artists who helped to shape a distinctive American culture.

The stone boathouse provides access to canoeists along the Concord River. The Old Manse is a National Historic Landmark and a link in the Bay Circuit Trail.

Trails
A short network of footpaths connects the Old Manse to the North Bridge and boathouse on the Concord River. Easy walking.

When to Visit
House: Guided, walk-in tours and pre-booked group tours are available year-round. Tours are offered daily, mid-April through October, 10am – 5pm, Mon - Fri, and from 12Noon – 5pm on Sundays. From November through March, weather permitting, walk-in tours and pre-booked group tours are available on weekends from 12Noon – 5pm. Allow a minimum of 1 hour (including North Birdge), 2 hours if also taking a house tour.

Grounds: year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset.

Facilities
The museum shop is open the same hours as the house. The shop specializes in books but also sells stationery, activities workbooks, games, toys, and assorted souvenirs. We also offer exclusive editions of Wee Forest Folk collectible figurines. All merchandise is designed to educate visitors about the Old Manse, 19th-century Concord authors, women's history, and the American Revolution. Trustees members receive a 10% discount on all merchandise in the museum shop (except Wee Forest Folk).

Regulations & Advisories

• Mountain biking is not allowed.
  
  
• Canoes or kayaks may not be launched from the property. Landing only.
  
  
• Photography is not permitted inside the house.

Directions

269 Monument Street
Concord, MA
Telephone: 978.369.3909
E-mail: oldmanse@ttor.org

Get directions on Google Maps.

From Concord Center, take Monument St. north 0.5 mi. Entrance and parking (20 cars) on left just before the North Bridge.

Please direct all mail to:
The Old Manse
PO Box 572
Concord, MA 01772

Admission

When to Visit
House: Guided, walk-in tours and pre-booked group tours are available year-round. Tours are offered daily, mid-April through October, 10am – 5pm, Mon - Fri, and from 12Noon – 5pm on Sundays. From November through March, weather permitting, walk-in tours and pre-booked group tours are available on weekends from 12Noon – 5pm. Allow a minimum of 1 hour (including North Birdge), 2 hours if also taking a house tour.

Grounds: year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset.

Admission
Grounds: FREE. House tours: Trustees members FREE. Nonmembers: Adult $8; Child (6-12) $5; Senior $7; Student (with valid ID) $7; Family (2 adults and up to 3 minor children) $25 (25% savings). Group tours by prior appointment (min. of 10 people): $6 per person.

Tours depart every 30 minutes. Last tour departs at 4:30 pm. House tours: Trustees Members: FREE. Nonmembers: adult $8, child (6-12) $5, senior/student (with ID) $7. Group tours by appointment, and groups of 15 or more receive a discount; call 978.369.3909.

Property History

Built in 1770 for patriot minister William Emerson, the Old Manse became the center of Concord’s political, literary, and social revolutions over the course of the next century. The iconic house overlooks the North Bridge where the famous battle of April 19, 1775 took place, triggering the Revolutionary War.

In the mid-19th-century, leading Transcendentalists such as Bronson Alcott , Henry David Thoreau, and Margaret Fuller discussed the issues of the day here, with the Hawthorne and Ripley families.

Property Acquisition History
Purchased in 1939.

Programs

In addition to our regular guided tours, you can enjoy a variety of special events through the year. For details on the events below, as well as other programs and activities in the Greater Boston region, check our events calendar.

• Patriots Day Weekend Events: April 19: Special house and landscape tours, with terrific views of the re-enactments at the Old North Bridge.
• Mother's Day Music Concert
• Riverfest: early June: poetry, music, and art
• Summer Solstice Celebration: June 21: Witness the sunsets enjoyed by Emerson and Hawthorne.
• Fall Festival: Columbus Day Weekend: Celebrate the harvest.
• Haunted Attic Tours and Events: last week of October.

Volunteer Opportunities

Work Parties

Maps and Resources

You can download a watercolor map of the house and ground before you visit.

Planning Your Visit

Community Links
The Friends of Minuteman National Park

Before You Go
We encourage you to visit as many Trustees properties as you can.

Wherever your travels take you, please observe all posted regulations, follow special instructions from property staff, and keep in mind the Stewardship Code:

• Protect wildlife and plants.
• Guard against all risk of fire.
• Help keep air and water clean.
• Carry out what you carry in.
• Use marked footpaths and bridle paths.
• Leave livestock, crops, and machinery alone.
• Respect the privacy of neighboring land.
• Enjoy and share the landscape with others.

Click on links below for further visitor information:

Before Setting Out

Enjoying Trustees Reservations

Safety

About Hunting on Trustees of Reservations Land

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