Welcome to " The Home of Little Women" ... and so much more
Our Second Century of Education, Inspiration, and Preservation
Our Second Century of Education, Inspiration, and Preservation
Orchard House has re-opened with Timed-Entry Admission and a face mask requirement for all visitors and staff. Due to COVID capacity limitations, we cannot guarantee ticket availability for "walk-ins," but will make every effort to safely accommodate as many visitors as possible.
~ 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!
"'Learning's Altar' - The Rise of Adult Education and Lifelong Learning in Concord and Beyond"
Sunday-Thursday, July 10 - 14, 2022
Potential Presenters kindly submit a one-paragraph summary and brief bio
(*In-person component may be added later)
"Apple Slump Players"
Acting/Theater Workshop
July 25 - 29, 2022
"Write Stuff!"
Creating Writing Workshop
August 1 - 5, 2022
Youngsters ages 8 - 12 are invited to join us for our uniquely entertaining and educational virtual weeklong intensives!
(*In-person component may be added later)
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.
Academy Award winner Chris Cooper joins 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!
Orchard House Executive Director Jan Turnquist’s special Zoom webinar guest for this year’s Concord Festival of Authors is award-winning historical fiction author Katherine Sherbrooke, who will discuss her new novel, Leaving Coy’s Hill, as well as the connections between celebrated Concord resident Louisa May Alcott and the novel’s central character, Lucy Stone.
Orchard House has a rich 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)
"The Divining Power of Women:
Louisa May Alcott and the
Fight for Woman Suffrage"
July 11 - 15, 2021
To celebrate the 19th Amendment’s Centennial, the 2021 Summer Conversational Series adult and teacher education explored the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of the journey toward securing woman suffrage both here and abroad
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.
During the "Main Streets and Back Roads" segment of beloved Boston TV newsmagazine's Chronicle, host Anthony Everett highlighted the rich history, culture, and natural beauty contained within Concord, Massachusetts. Look for footage of their visit to Orchard House on a snowy February 10th!
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 due to COVID-19, these tours are temporarily suspended
Walk, run, stroll, or shimmy to feel the joy of movement and benefit Orchard House! Support our educational programming and preservation efforts by participating in or donating to our Annual Walk/Run.
Donations still accepted!
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Our event may be over, but donations are still accepted to help us reach our fundraising goal! Please consider a gift in any amount today to keep the doors of Orchard House open for many tomorrows to come!
Executive Director Jan Turnquist hosted nearly 60 live broadcasts Sundays at 2:00 pm, which continue to be available to view at any time
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
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
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 recorded Virtual Book Launch hosted by Orchard House Executive Director Jan Turnquist on Tuesday, February 9, 2021!
During the event, Prof. Matteson discussed the genesis of his new book and the poignant, inspiring, often surprising backstories of the five individuals featured within -- Louisa May Alcott, Arthur Fuller, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr, John Pelham, and Walt Whitman -- as well as how this pivotal time in American history not only provided life-changing lessons in the moment, but continue to hold relevance for turbulent modern times. (Learn more about the book here) This free Webinar was conducted/recorded via Zoom and livestreamed on Facebook. A Trivia Game, Q&A, and virtual toast were also included in the festivities.
A Worse Place Than Hell . . . is still available at a discounted price through our Online Museum Store. Copies purchased from Orchard House include a bookplate signed by the author and a custom-designed bookmark commemorating the publication. Prof. Matteson's Pulitzer Prize-winning Alcott biography, Eden's Outcasts - The Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Father, and The Annotated Little Women may also be purchased from us.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House was closed to the public since March 13, 2020., but re-opened on August 1, 2021. Tax-deductible contributions in support of tonight's event and future programming are always gratefully accepted here.
Many thanks to those who joined us live on February 9th. We hope many more of you will enjoy watching the recording!
Orchard House has re-opened with Timed-Entry Admission and a face mask requirement for all visitors and staff. Please note that due to capacity limitations, we cannot guarantee ticket availability for "walk-ins," but will make every effort to safely accommodate as many visitors as possible.
Virtual Tours are available as another option to experience Orchard House, and as always, our gardens and grounds remain free and accessible to all.
399 Lexington Road, Concord, MA 01742 USA
General Phone: 978.369.4118
Open today | 10:00 am – 05:00 pm |
November - March Hours of Operation:
Weekdays, 11 am - 3:30 pm; Saturdays, 10 am - 5 pm; Sundays, 1 - 5 pm
Closed: January 1 - 3, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, & New Year's Eve
Open at Noon: Patriots' Day (third Monday in April)
Open Extended Hours (10:00 am - 5:00 pm): Veterans' Day, 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 | Fax 978.369.1367 Jan Turnquist, Executive Director | jturnquist@louisamayalcott.org | 978.369.4118 x102
Your contribution enables us to keep the legacy of Orchard House, the Alcotts, and Little Women alive for generations to come. Find out more about how we put your donations to work.
Please consider giving generously to support our mission of public education and historic preservation. Thank you!
© 2022 Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House - All Rights Reserved