3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A new collection of historical anecdotes, July 25, 2007
This review is from: In History's Embrace: Past and Present in Concord, Massachusetts (Hardcover)
Though tourists fill its streets and sidewalks every day, the town of Concord, Massachusetts (pop. 17,000), is not the kind of static living history museum one encounters in Sturbridge Village (Mass.) or Williamsburg (Va.). Founded in 1635, America's oldest inland town is a thriving community where life has not stopped with a particular year or decade, and where current residents deal with contemporary life and its challenges. The reputation of the town is connected to a number of periods in history; so remembering it merely as the site of the first battle of the American Revolution or as the home of the Transcendentalists results in ignoring other important events. Indeed, History -- with a capital H! -- intersects with this town so often that we continue to marvel at the assortment of real-life stories that have happened here.
Perhaps no one knows these tales better than Leslie Perrin Wilson, curator of the William Munroe Special Collections at the Concord Free Public Library. Here she presents 20 of her most popular "Historic Concord" columns, pieces that originally appeared in The Concord Journal newspaper. With the publication of this volume, these vignettes can now entertain and enlighten a wider audience. Reproductions of relevant vintage photos are also scattered throughout the pages, lending charm and interest to selected accounts. Readers will enjoy learning about key celebrations of the famous April 19th battle, including the anticipated visit of Robert Frost for the 150th anniversary. They'll see once again the Whipping Post Elm and wonder about its age and disturbing name. Fans of the Transcendentalists will be happy to see a few mentions of Thoreau and Emerson in a tale or two. And of course, the story of William Munroe serves to showcase the founding of the public library, the town's source of historic information. But the true gems of the book are the oddities that jump out to surprise us. Should the whole town have been preserved in time, like Williamsburg was? Why were so many buildings moved from street to street? What happened to the senior citizen who wandered away from Bronson Alcott's School of Philosophy in 1887? And who would ever guess that such a small town had been in the running to host the headquarters of the United Nations?
Leslie Wilson provides for us a casual reading experience that will answer some questions about Concord but will raise a few more. IN HISTORY'S EMBRACE serves as a quirky supplement and update to such traditional Concord histories as Ruth Wheeler's "Concord: Climate for Freedom" (1967) and Lemuel Shattuck's "History of the Town of Concord, Mass." (1835/1985). The text still doesn't solve the age-old riddle: Why was all this stuff destined to happen HERE???
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Idyllic Intellectual Mecca, September 16, 2007
This review is from: In History's Embrace: Past and Present in Concord, Massachusetts (Hardcover)
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 philospophy (the School of Philosopny 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.
A gifted, scholarly man, Bronson Alcott decried the "recite and learn by rote" method he endured as a boy. His method was to have his students, his daughters included gather in a circle and discuss the lessons; ask questions and fill their minds with as many interests as possible. He took them on walks; taught them about nature; filled his home with valuable artifacts and insisted that each of his students learn about and appreciate fine art and cultural pursuits. While not appreciated by more traditional educators of the time, Bronson sadly was never able to secure a foothold monetarily. It was his daughter, Louisa May who supported the family with her writing. Another daughter, May (Amy in "Little Women") was a gifted artist whose drawings grace the walls. His household was a breeding ground of intellectual development; many learned people were guests in that home. An adamant abolitionist, Alcott often had John Brown, another Abolitionist and Reformer visit Orchard House. Many writers, teachers, artists and philosophers visited the Emerson and Alcott homes.
Some early Concord residents did own slaves; the Alcotts, Emersons and John Brown were vehemently against slavery. A photograph of a proper headstone for a slave named John Jack who died at "approximately 60 years of age" is prominently displayed in the town museum. You can also get a plethora of information about the Reformers and Abolitionists in this wonderful book.
Concord is a vital, active town and the museum as well as the historical sites serve to enrich it and make it a place of interest to many people. The museum has a gallery of photographs showing the town throughout the years. One picture of the road named after Walden, taken in October of 1964 shows a Ford dealership and other businesses. The current downtown is an eclectic mix of shops with a quaint, small town feel. Some of the shops have old signage, but most do not.
The town is small enough for people to walk to the major historical sites. 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. Go to the Orchard House and see a literary lifestyle that the Alcott Sisters enjoyed. You will get a guided tour and a delightful plethora of information that will leave you wanting more. Expect to be captivated by the stories behind the rooms; furniture; books and artwork. The kitchen itself is distinct; it boasts a soapstone sink and part of the kitchen was build over a well so the family would not have to go outside to draw their water.
You will certainly want to check in at the town's library and at the local museum. In addition to a wonderful walk through history where you learn about Algonkian and Puritan culture and clashes between the two as well as the fine art of boat building and the growth, development and modernization of this quaint town, you get to watch a 12-minute history that will spark your interest all the more. Be sure to talk to the docents and curators there as well as the town librarians. You might also want to get books about Concord as you stroll the grounds and contemplate the gentle beauty of the place at Walden Pond.
Be sure to walk the grounds at Walden Pond; you currently pay $5.00 to park and you can enjoy the place as long as you want. There are two beaches there; you can swim; motor boat or just enjoy your nature walk. Walden's home has been replicated far from its original site, which is marked with the dates in which it stood. It graced the place from 1845-47 and was sadly burned. People bring rocks annually to commemorate the site where Thoreau's house once stood.
The replica has a narrow bed and rude cooking utensils. You get a full appreciation of living at peace with nature when you enter the replica of Thoreau's house. You will also love the little coves and peaceful rock steps that will take you to the water if you want to get closer to this beautiful pond.
I think you will really enjoy this book and I have no doubt you will love the town. Be sure to get as much sight-seeing in as you can and you will develop an even greater appreciation for art, culture, American history, nature and philosophy.
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