Concord, Massachusetts USA is a hotbed of American and Anglo-American history. This beautiful town which was founded in 1635 remains a historical mecca. It has retained its natural, Thoreau-esque charm while yet remaining accessible to the city of Boston, a beautiful progressive city otherwise known as the Cradle of U.S. History.
Walden Pond, the place that so captivated Henry David Thoreau; Wright Tavern; Louisa May Alcott's home, the Orchard House; Ralph Waldo Emerson's home which is directly across the street from the Concord Museum; the Old Manse, home of R. W. Emerson's grandfather and the North Bridge are among the many sites that bring history to life and spark a desire to know more about the Revolutionary War period. The Alcotts, Emersons, Hawthornes, John Brown and Thoreau are the town's most prominent families. Thoreau, known for his existentialist philosophy (the School of Philosophy Building shares the grounds with the Orchard House); the Alcott Sisters (Louisa May, the most famous of the 4 Alcott sisters and author of many books); their father Amos Bronson "Bronson" Alcott, an intellectual and educational reformer whose benevolent influence remains part of educational practices today.
Some early Concord residents did own slaves; the Alcotts, Emersons and John Brown were vehemently against slavery. A headstone for a slave named John Jack who died at "approximately 60 years of age" is prominently displayed in the Old Hill Burial Ground.
Concord is a vital, active town and the historic sites serve to enrich it and make it a place of interest to many people. The current downtown is an eclectic mix of shops with a quaint, small town feel.
The North Bridge, the site of the April 19, 1775 Battle between the English and the Colonists (Tories/Loyalists vs. Patriots) has been rebuilt since that massacre. The Old Manse is on the grounds near the bridge and a small shed with a boat ramp is a few yards away from the Manse, with the ramp leading directly to the water. You can see both from the bridge and the trail leading to the bridge.
If you ever go to Concord, be prepared to be delighted. Expect to be captivated by the stories.
Bike tours, and bike rentals are available at various locations around town and can be arranged by calling 978-697-1897. There is also a new pedi-cab service in town that can pick you up at the train station and other spots around town and transfer you to historic spots for a small fee.