Culture Cup
With winding roads lined with trees and small ponds, it is no wonder that so many people came to this quiet Massachusetts town in search of something more spiritual. Central to American history and literature, Concord is home to the Concord Museum, a quaint little place that holds many treasures. The museum presents the visitor with a good slice of early American culture via short films, artifacts and recreations.
The museum journey begins with a short film filled with interesting facts about the town. Excerpts from “Walden” are read and the history surrounding the American revolution is given. Visitors then take themselves on a self-guided tour through what looks like to be an old, 17th century house.
“Although this looks like an old house, it was actually constructed in the 1930s,” said Barbara Forman, a museum guide.
The reason as to why the house looks so historic is that when it was built, it was constructed using wood from older buildings no longer in use around Concord. Navigating themselves over squeaky floors, visitors start in a room painted to look like a forest. Arrowheads and other Native American artifacts are sealed in glass cases next to descriptions of Concord’s original residents.
The next room outlines the Revolutionary war, how Concord’s residents felt about it, as well as an impressive display of weaponry.
The most interesting sections of the museum, however, are the Transcendentalist portions. A large section of the house is dedicated to educating the visitors on some of Concord’s most influential residents: Thoreau, Emerson, and the Alcotts. History of the Transcendental movement is highlighted on the walls, along with quotes and excerpts from the writings of these historic figures. For example, did you know that Emerson coined the phrase, “shot heard ’round the world”?
The back portion of the house is a recreation of Emerson’s study. Books, tables, and chairs were all set up exactly as they had been in his home, down to the very last detail such as the carpeting and wallpaper. To prove it, there is a photo of Emerson next to the recreated room of the author in his study, sitting in his chair no doubt preparing to write one of his next essays.
One of the museum’s boasted treasures is Thoreau’s writing desk. Wooden and worn, it is displayed amongst a small recreation of his cabin next to Walden Pond, which is actually not far from the museum itself.
The second floor of the museum is a series of several rooms made to look like they are straight out of the 1800s. A living room, bedroom, and kitchen are decorated in fabrics and accessories from that era. China cups with little sayings like “For a Good Daughter” and “A Pretty Bird” painted on them lined the walls of one of the rooms.
Currently, there is a special exhibit on display provided by the local high school’s woodworking class. Unique chairs, clocks, and cabinets fill the room. The craftsmanship is astounding and impressive; the curves of a grandfather clock perfectly rounded and smooth.
It takes only about two to three hours to go through the entire museum, leaving the visitors time to see other parts of Concord. One point of interest is the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where Thoreau, Emerson, the Alcotts and Hawthornes are buried. The cemetery is large and picturesque and a quiet escape from the noise of downtown.
Best done on a sunny day, a trip into historic Concord is enough to satisfy anyone’s urge for a little American culture.
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wow i didn’t realize that! thanks for sharing your knowledge