Welcome to " The Home of Little Women" ... and so much more
Our Second Century of Education, Inspiration, and Preservation
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Our Second Century of Education, Inspiration, and Preservation
Watch a two-minute trailer for our Emmy Award-winning Documentary to discover why so many visitors have considered Orchard House an abiding, inspirational place for over 110 years.
Intrigued? Stream the entire Documentary with PBS Passport or rent from Amazon. Better yet, purchase it from our in-person or Online Store to support Orchard House directly! Learn more about our Documentary here.
To see Orchard House for yourself, reserve Timed-Entry Admission or stop by any time!
~ Marmee, Chapter I of Little Women ~
Orchard House (c. 1650) is most noted for being where Louisa May Alcott wrote and set Little Women in 1868. This noble home also has a rich history stretching back two centuries beforehand, as well as more than 100 years of life as a treasured historic site open to the public.
The Alcotts were a famous yet flawed family who firmly believed in the power of unconditional love, personal agency, and social justice. Discover the many ways in which they impacted literature, education, philosophy, art, reforms of all kinds -- and each other.
Orchard House is open year-round for guided tours, educational programs, living history, and special events. No matter the season, or whether you are a Little Women fan, educator, family, student, or scholar, there's always something to enjoy!
Select dates in February, March, & November
9:00 - 11:00 am
By reservation only
Ever wonder what it was like for Louisa May Alcott to unleash the simmering stories in her brain onto paper? Orchard House now offers a unique chance for visitors to encourage the same spirit of creativity and determination Miss Alcott exhibited by spending private time within the evocative atmosphere of her bedchamber.
Not interested in writing? You may instead read, sketch, meditate, or reflect.
(1 person / Up to 2 hours / Must be 18+ years)
Orchard House has a rich, fascinating, and inspiring 350-year historical and literary significance that has finally been captured on film! Viewed by millions nationwide on public television, it has now been awarded an Emmy and is available for purchase from our Museum Store.
(Special pricing available for online orders only)
Visitors from around the world or across town consider our gardens and grounds to be a perpetual source of hope, joy, and beauty. While Mr. Alcott spent years honoring the historic landscape by carefully tending it, Louisa paid tribute to the family’s love of horticulture in Little Women by having the March sisters cultivate their own flower beds. Read what all the buzz is about in a delightful article written by Executive Director Jan Turnquist — then try your hand at creating your own Little Women Garden!
A marvelous time was had as The Taming of the Shrew met Twelfth Night during the performance of Hannah Cowley's uproarious -- and refreshingly modern! -- 1783 play by Theater in the Open on our evocative grounds! We also thoroughly enjoyed our first-ever collaboration with Theater in the Open, and look forward to more opportunities to partner with them and revive forgotten classics!
(Click button to find out more about them)
Youngsters ages 8 - 12 participated in our uniquely entertaining and educational week-long intensive, experimenting with writing poetry, fiction, correspondence, journaling, and stories inspired by nature and art. Campers got the rare chance to spend time writing in Louisa's room, closely observed wonderful artifacts in the House, and immersed themselves in the beautiful grounds of The Wayside and Ralph Waldo Emerson's garden. In addition, they found ways to move their physical bodies and enjoyed games that encouraged playfulness, inspiration, and creativity, making memories to last a lifetime!
Youngsters ages 8-12 participated in a joyful, varied week of activities inspired by the March family and their fictional friends and neighbors from Little Women, as well as the real-life Alcotts. Crafts, games, nature walks, writing, reading, reflecting, performing a play, and even exciting "you are there!" history lessons and live Colonial music courtesy of The Concord Minute Men re-enactors! Adults are now clamoring for a Little Women Camp, too, so keep your eyes peeled for next Summer's offerings!
"The Alcotts & Resilience"
Scholars and attendees from around the world converged in person and tuned in virtually to enjoy a most inspiring, enlightening, and entertaining week of presentations and discussions -- as well as the world premiere reading of Act I of a new adaptation of Little Women by acclaimed playwright Lauren Gunderson!
Participate through December 31st;
Donations accepted year-round
Walk, run, stroll, or shimmy during our fun, fitness-focused event that can be done anywhere in the world, in any weather! Participants, their families, friends, and fans are invited to virtually join UTA PIPPIG — marathon legend, fitness motivator, and event Honorary Chair — to support our public education and historic preservation initiatives.
A unique opportunity to enjoy beloved holiday music performed by talented Revolutionary War re-enactors was provided in the evocative space of our School of Philosophy! Centuries combined to produce an unforgettable evening of merriment as The Concord Minute Men Fife & Drum Corps offered delightful medleys of seasonal songs while honoring the fact that Orchard House (c. 1650) was home to two Concord Minute Men in 1775!
The sights, scents, sounds, and sensibilities of an Alcottian Christmas celebration came alive within our festively decorated rooms and through interactions with Living History portrayers as Victorian music, games, and crafts were enjoyed by all, and that inexplicable feeling that you truly are home for the holidays abounded!
Orchard House remained decorated for the holidays through January 7, 2024
Nashobah Praying Indian descendant Strong Bear Medicine and scholar/author Dan Boudillion discussed the Nashobah Praying Indians’ millennia-long presence in our area, their journey of survival, and the current thriving community. They also referred to Dan's recently published book, The History of the Nashobah Praying Indians: Doings, Sufferings, Survival, and Triumph, as a valuable resource for those who wish to know more.
Requests to receive a recording still being accepted
In honor of the Concord Free Public Library's Sesquicentennial and Concord Museum's celebratory "Perpetual Invitation . . ." exhibit, Orchard House displayed many rarely-seen artifacts related to May Alcott's life and artistic career in every room along our guided tour. Visitors were enlightened by, impressed with, and astonished at May’s talent, and came away with a greater appreciation for this gifted artist whose life (all too brief . . .), joie de vivre, and legacy continue to uplift and enrich us!
Treating ourselves to a February full of Marches, all four major motion pictures of Little Women (1933, 1949, 1994, 2019) were shown chronologically on consecutive Thursdays in collaboration with and celebration of The Concord Players, honoring their Spring 2023 Decennial Production of Little Women [The Musical]!
Academy Award winner Chris Cooper joined Orchard House Executive Director Jan Turnquist for a scintillating Zoom webinar about the making of Greta Gerwig’s 2019 Little Women film!
We are extremely grateful to Mr. Cooper for giving generously of his time so that all proceeds from this event can benefit Orchard House’s educational programs and historic preservation!
In the “Weekend Away” section (pages 68-73, accessible via the link below), Orchard House is one of the sites that Yankee recommends to visit — even if only on the outside — during a Spring weekend trip to Lexington and Concord. You may read the entire issue as well, without a subscription, using the link.
Celebrate the latest publication from the Pulitzer Prize-winning pen of John Matteson — A Worse Place Than Hell: How the Civil War Battle of Fredericksburg Changed a Nation — by watching the Virtual Book Launch hosted by Orchard House Executive Director Jan Turnquist on Tuesday, February 9, 2021!
"Welcome to Our Home" offers an interactive tour with an expert living history guide, allowing for intimate access to fascinating anecdotes about the Alcotts' lives and times. 19th Century games, songs, and a treasure hunt round out this memorable experience suitable for all ages. Offered the fourth Saturday of each month through November, as well as during February and April school vacation.
Please note that these tours are temporarily suspended
Walk, run, stroll, or shimmy to feel the joy of movement and benefit Orchard House from November 29 through December 31, 2023 — support our educational programming and preservation efforts by participating in or donating to our Annual Walk/Run
Can't participate? Donations accepted year-round!
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Event registration has concluded for 2022, but donations are accepted year-round. Please consider a gift in any amount today to keep the doors of Orchard House open for many tomorrows to come!
Our 2023 event will take place between November 23rd and December 31st
Our Orchard House: Home of Little Women Documentary was honored with the Emmy for Outstanding Historical/Cultural Program/Special during the 42nd Boston/New England Emmy Awards at the Marriott Boston Copley Place on 15 June 2019
Executive Director Jan Turnquist hosted 62 live broadcasts Sundays at 2:00 pm, which continue to be available to view at any time [without a Facebook account]
Celebrate the unique and evocative structure that has welcomed scholars and students since July 12, 1880!
For educators, parents, or students who want to learn about Little Women and Louisa May Alcott
Bronson Alcott was a revolutionary educator and passionate educational reformer — be inspired by his own words!
All episodes of our Digital Discovery series are available to view any time in our Vimeo Showcase, with more to come as time goes by
Follow the beautiful transformation of our Little Women Garden — a perennial favorite of visitors for decades
Your contribution enables us to keep the legacy of Orchard House, the Alcotts, and Little Women alive for generations to come. Please consider giving generously to support our mission of public education and historic preservation.
Thank you!
Orchard House is a "mask-friendly" site; face masks are optional for entry. To guarantee admission, we encourage reserving Timed-Entry tickets online, but “walk-ins” may also be accommodated. As always, our gardens and grounds remain free and accessible to all, while Virtual Tours provide an enjoyable way to experience Orchard House from the comfort of your own home.
399 Lexington Road, Concord, MA 01742 USA
General Phone: 978.369.4118
Open today | 11:00 am – 03:30 pm |
April - October Hours of Operation:
Weekdays & Saturdays, 10 am - 5 pm; Sundays, 11 am - 5 pm
CLOSED: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Day, December 31-January 3
Open at Noon: Patriots' Day (Saturday, April 19th in 2025)
Open Extended Hours (10 am - 5 pm): Veterans' Day Observed, day after Thanksgiving, weekdays between Christmas and New Year's, Martin Luther King Jr Day, & February School Vacation weekdays
For postal mail correspondence, please use the following address:
PO Box 343 Concord, Massachusetts 01742-0343 USA
General Phone: 978.369.4118 Jan Turnquist, Executive Director
© 2024 Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House - All Rights Reserved
Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization