Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House
Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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The First Battle of the War of Independence
PatePate
40
My husband and I were able to visit Orchard House for the first time today and it was so incredibly wonderful and special. From the moment we arrived we were greeted by such a sweet staff member who gave us instructions, got us checked in for our tour and kicked off our time there up at the school with a short video and gave us some great information the schoolhouse and Bronson Alcott. There was an area to sign a guestbook as we arrived as well and it just made it feel a little more special. (I saw several other reviews with complaints about the little video in the beginning but I thought it was cute and reminded me of historical/educational videos I watched in grade school.) Our main tour guide that showed us through the home was an absolute treasure and the highlight of our time here. She was so passionate and loving in the way she spoke about the Alcott’s. As if she were an old friend of theirs. She even spent time at the end of the tour speaking with me, sharing her feelings on Alcott’s work, Little Women, the movie adaptations, etc. and asking my opinions and feelings. It solidified all of my feelings in the importance of Little Women—sisterhood, womanhood, connection. I already felt overwhelmed with emotion moving from room to room in the home of someone who created work that has felt important to me through most stages in my life, but to have someone who expressed such thorough care throughout the tour really tied it all together for me. Everyone there continually thanked all of us for coming, expressed how happy they were to have tours and interest in the home. But I must thank you all for such a beautiful, wonderful experience. It was such a gift. I recommend it to anyone, especially fans of Louisa’s.
CarlyJay LangfordCarlyJay Langford
00
it’s been a dream of mine to visit Louisa May Alcott‘s home in Concord, Massachusetts. Our recent trip gave us a few hours to make this dream possible. We purchased the tickets online. We were told that the tour would take approximately 45 minutes. We were able to walk the grounds before the official tour began. we found the organization of the tour itself to be rather disorganized and confusing. Much of the time was spent in the schoolhouse space watching a video which was in essence a video tour of the house and background information about Louisa herself. It was fine, but that is not exactly what I was expecting as a tour. We had a group of approximately 25 which was split up into two sub groups. Again, this was done in a fairly unorganized fashion. We went through the house with a tour guide who was competent, but did not necessarily inspire. Visitors are not allowed to take photographs inside the home which is completely understandable. It was exciting to see many of the Alcott’s family artifacts, because 80% of what is inside the house was there when she lived in it. The most moving article was the crescent shaped desk, where Louisa wrote her Little Women book. There is a small gift/bookstore at the end of the tour. The tour was definitely worth it, but I feel that it could have been much better organized. The signage was not clear, nor was the information on where to go when we arrived for the tour, leading to lots of confusion and mixing of groups, etc. If I were the manager, I would spend a few moments trying to find ways to organize visitors so it does not seem so Lackadaisical.
Fran KealFran Keal
00
Really enjoyed the tour. My second time visiting because it’s been at least 10 years. The docents were kind and energetic. My one complaint is that I had a walker, and the spaces were small, but there was nowhere I could sit where the docent wouldn’t come right over at me to point very near my body at something. She walked all over the room to point, rather than standing in one predictable spot and just pointing. Everyone else could just slide left or right. It isn’t that easy to move laterally in a wheelchair or with a Walker, so it really would be best for docents to stand and point rather than rushing about the space to all corners making everyone move this way and that. I’m sure this isn’t normally a big deal, but with wheeled visitors it’s not pleasant to be unable to move but have someone coming at you and needing to constantly move. Otherwise I felt quite welcomed and accommodated. I couldn’t go upstairs, and I wish I’d been told that when I entered. But they gave me half off the tour so that was nice. Glad the school of philosophy room was accessible. Eveyone is so kind and it was a delightful tour. You can’t take pictures inside, so that’s why these are the same as everyone else’s 😂. I only saw one Handicap parking spot but there may be more. The lot out front of the house is small, but there is more parking across the street.
Kristy JohnsonKristy Johnson
00
So many things about this visit were wonderful. My husband and I learned so many interesting things from our very knowledgeable tour guide and thoroughly enjoyed the many original pieces in the home as well as how many of the original features of the home were preserved or beautifully restored. The tour started with a video on the school house and then continues one through the house. The gift shop if full of a variety of nice things if you’re looking for that. There were a few things that I believe would improve the experience. Our tour guide was pretty uptight. There were rules about the tour (don’t touch ANYTHING in the house and also NO PHOTOS) which should have been communicated before entering the first room (a poor woman on our tour got snapped at in the first room). We were moved from room to room very quickly (our tour guide said it was because of Covid restrictions) but it meant that we did not always have time to actually look at anything or read all of the information plaques in the room. As we couldn’t take any photos, this prevented our having a full experience of the house. I wonder if having a guide stationed in each room to give a talk about the room and also watch over the items would be a better setup than having a guide. That way people could move through at their own pace. Thanks so much.
Bethany HerrodBethany Herrod
00
I don't know how to relay it all. Five stars doesn't do it justice. Granted, Little Women is my favorite book of all time, so I'm a bit biased. Absolutely beautiful, perfection. So well preserved, the amount of original items owned by the family and the state they're in is mind-blowing. To see it all in person created so many connections and realizations, absolutely priceless. Our tour guide, Nancy, was as sweet as could be. She made an effort to engage my somewhat bored 13 year old son. I could tell she was there because she loves it, it wasn't a "job", a true fan recognizes another. I wanted to buy everything in the entire gift shop. Fortunately, it was surprisingly affordable so I was able to get quite a few precious mementos. 100% recommend whether you're a fan or neutral and know nothing of Louisa May Alcott. If you haven't read the book, it'll make you want to. My only wish or request would longer/private tours. I absolutely understand the time constraints and I think it's probably plenty for many, but I wish I could have had more time in each room to soak it all in. But I'm still so grateful, and I gained so much. Also highly recommend Sleepy Hollow Cemetery after, where you can visit the graves of the entire family!
Stefanie EllisStefanie Ellis
00
Nearby Attractions Of Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House
Concord Museum
Ralph Waldo Emerson House
Meriam's Corner
Millbrook Gardens
US National Park Services-Wayside

Concord Museum
4.6
(264)Click for details

Ralph Waldo Emerson House
4.4
(46)Click for details

Meriam's Corner
4.7
(44)Click for details

Millbrook Gardens
4.8
(38)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
399 Lexington Rd, Concord, MA 01742
Map
Phone
(978) 369-4118
Call
Website
louisamayalcott.org
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.7
(535 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
family friendly
Description
Orchard House is a historic house museum in Concord, Massachusetts, United States, opened to the public on May 27, 1912. It was the longtime home of Amos Bronson Alcott and his family, including his daughter Louisa May Alcott, who wrote and set her novel Little Women there.
attractions: Concord Museum, Ralph Waldo Emerson House, Meriam's Corner, Millbrook Gardens, US National Park Services-Wayside, restaurants:

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