Concord, MA

The wooden bridge that spans the Concord River at the confluence of the Assabet and Sudbury Rivers is a replica of the one that was made famous on the first day of the American War of Independence.

On 19 April 1775, 400 colonists outnumbered the British infantry, forcing them to retreat across the bridge. A shot rang out and history was made.

It was “the shot heard around the world”, as Ralph Waldo Emerson described it.

The original bridge had been built in the 1760s but was dismantled in 1793. The present Old North Bridge was built in 2005. It is situated in the Minute Man Historical Park.

Concord has a long track record of recording its history. After the bicentennial celebrations in 1836, Cummings Davis started collecting artifacts. In 1886, 2000 of these were transferred to the Concord Antiquarian Society. A year later the house of the saddler, Reuben Brown was purchased for the purpose of housing the collection. Through the years, several additions were made to the complex. Highlights of the collections are a spearhead from the Ice Age, Paul Revere's lantern, Henry David Thoreau's desk and spy glass, a recreation of Ralph Waldo Emerson's study and a gallery devoted to Thomas Dugan, a freed slave who became a successful farmer.

Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA 01742, Phone: 978-369-9763

Attractions for Couples

Minute Man National Historical Park commemorates the first day of the American War of Independence. Within its borders there are several historical sites. North Bridge is the point at which the first shots were fired and where the British suffered their first casualties. The Battle Road Trail marks the route of the running skirmishes between the British soldiers and the Colonial forces. There is a monument at the site where Paul Revere was captured. Barrett's farm was one searched by the British, looking for arms and ammunition. Wayside, the home of several notable American authors is also in the park. The Visitor Center overlooks North Bridge.

Some of the USA's greatest authors and thinkers are buried in this cemetery. It was designed by Cleveland and Copeland who were influenced the Transcendentalism movement. The natural contours of the Sleep Hollow Cemetery form an amphitheatre and much of the original shrubbery and wild plants were allowed to remain. It was dedicated in 1855 by Ralph Waldo Emerson who was a proponent of the movement and also on the committee that chose the design. Emerson was later to be buried there. The Melvin Memorial to three brothers in the Civil War stands in the cemetery. The Alcott family, Nathanial Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau and Elizabeth Peabody are also buried there.

Recommended Attractions

The Hapgood Wright Town Forest offers residents of Concord a peaceful and attractive urban recreation area. Originally home to freed slaves who tried their best to farm the infertile land in the mid 1800’s, the forest became Concord’s first conservation area in 2008. There are several trails for nature lovers to explore including the Emerson-Thoreau Amble, the Bay Circuit Trail and the Harry Beyer Assessed Trail Loop. The Fairyland Pond Circuit is especially good for families and takes just 20 minutes. You can park in the small parking area on the east side of Waldon Street and accessible parking is also available at the Assessed Trail entrance.

Walden Street, Concord, MA 01742

Walden Pond is a 64 acre lake situated in the 335 acre Walden Pond State Reservation. It was declared a National Historical Landmark in 1962. The lake is known as a kettle hole, a depression left by retreating glaciers that fills with water. It was made famous by Henry David Thoreau who wrote about it in his famous work, 'Walden'. For two years he lived in a cabin near the shore, on land owned by his friend, Ralph Waldo Emerson. A replica of his cabin has been erected and signposted. At the same time, ice from the lake was being harvested and exported to tropical countries. The park is open for hiking and water activities.

Verrill Farm has been in the same family for more than a century. It operated as a dairy farm from 1918 to 1990. Thereafter, the family grew vegetables for the market and later to sell off the farm. A third generation daughter put her baking and other culinary skills to good use on the farm. In 1995, a commercial kitchen and farm stall were erected. Besides fresh produce, a deli, bakery and catering services are offered. Customers can pick their own strawberries and pumpkins. Family entertainment includes festivals, pie-eating competitions and farm-to-table dinners. The farm is open 7 days a week.

11 Wheeler Road, Concord, MA 01742, Phone: 978-369-4494

The Old Manse is on Monument Street, with the Concord River behind it. It was built by Ralph Waldo Emerson's grandfather in 1770, the town minister and chaplain to the Provincial Congress and the Continental Army. The house is adjacent to North Bridge. After his death, his widow married his successor, Reverend Ripley, and they continued living in the house. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne also lived in the house but at different times. The house remained in the Emerson-Ripley family until 1939 when it was transferred, with all its contents, to the Trustees of Reservations. It is open seasonally.

Recommended Activities for Families

The house was built in 1828 by the Coolidge family. In 1835, Ralph Waldo Emerson acquired the house and six acres of land. He and his second wife moved in the day after their wedding, along with his mother. He lived there until his death in 1882. He paid $3500 for the house but immediately made alterations to the house and gardens. He later purchased another 11 acres, including Walden Pond. He wrote many works at 'Bush' as they called the house, and entertained the literati of Concord. The Ralph Waldo Emerson House is still owned by the family and is operated as a private museum.

William Munroe, who made his fortune selling dry goods and textiles, sought to give something back to his community. He thought that with the rich history of the town, a suitable library would be needed. He lobbied for permission and the resources to erect the grand, Gothic structure which was a departure from the norm at the time. The collections have grown to match the stature of the building. Concord's literary, social, political and architectural history are well documented. Some collections have been digitized and made available online. Concord Free Public Library library is open 7 days a week.

129 Main Street Concord, MA 01742, Phone: 978-318-3300