Concord, MA

 Concord along with Wareham are my favorite towns in Eastern MA. There is so much history in Concord that if you are a buff, you could spend a week there. I try to get to Concord at least once a year. We went up on Sunday and while the highlight was the unbelievable amount of Leopard Frogs we did enjoy some of what Concord has to offer.

   The main purpose of our trip was to go to a Minuteman National Historic Park ranger program. We went to a 2 pm North Bridge Battlefield Walk. The walk took forty five minutes. Despite knowing much about the battle I learned a lot. As usual, much of the stuff we learned in our text books as kids was wrong. Did you know that only part of the militia were Minutemen? A small percentage of the town residents trained a few times a week to be prepared at a moments notice. Each town did have a standard militia but they only trained a few times a year.

Park Ranger taking cover in the 
shade while doing the walk.

   As we know, history is written by the victors. It wasn't mentioned in our history books that the British soldiers that died at the North Bridge were scalped by the Patriots. There were many other facts like this that I learned. The ranger was passionate and knew everything there is to know. 

   There really isn't anything in Concord I haven't done. It took years to see everything in the historic town. Going to one or two historic sites each trip meant I always had something to look forward to for a decade. I strongly recommend taking a trip to Concord. Clearly there is a lot to do. Here are some must sees...Short description BELOW most of the photos.

   Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Author's Ridge-  I doubt there is another place in America where so many great minds are buried so close together. On a small hill in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Thoreau, Emerson, Louisa Alcott, and Hawthorne are buried. Also in the cemetery is Daniel Chester French

mmm Concord Museum- This museum is amazing. It has one of the "one if by land, two if by sea" lanterns. Ralph W Emerson's entire study is there. Many artifacts from the battle are in the museum. This is a must do. If you only went to one place that charges admission, this should be your choice.

   Waldon Pond- This historic pond is where Thoreau spent a year. There is a replica of his one room cabin. The lake is stocked with trout

 

 Minuteman National Historic Park- obviously this is a must do also. People come from all over the country to see this battlefield. You need to go to the North Bridge and the Minuteman Statue. The Visitor Center along Rt 2A has a great multimedia program on the hour. You can follow the sites along Battle Road and see sites such as where Paul Revere was captured. Do yourself a favor and go to at least one ranger program.

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge- this refuge is full of wildlife. You never know what you will see. I've seen Beavers, Marsh Wrens, Muskrats, Snakes, Blanding's Turtles, Frogs, Bald Eagle and a lot more here. The refuge has two large swampy ponds with a causeway between them. The path goes to the Concord River. You can loop around the pond on the right. 

Orchard House- Home of Louisa May Alcott. Alcott is the author of Little Women. Great tour

The Wayside- Home of the Authors. Alcott and Hawthorne both lived in this house. Another worthy stop

Bristler's Spring

Bristler's Spring- a small spring in Hapgood-Wright Town Forest. Thoreau would go there to bird watch. I thought it would be cool to go there and see a bird in a spot Thoreau actually sat to see nature

Concord River- you can kayak and canoe on the river. There is a kayak rental place. Fish include bass, pike, and carp

DeCordova Museum- mostly modern art with changing exhibits. The first time I went it had a lot of cool stuff. The second time I went, we brought my seven year old and the exhibits were mostly nudes! Awkward and I had to explain it to his mother when we got home that I had no idea.