The Thoreau–Alcott House is a historic house at 255 Main Street in Concord, Massachusetts, United States that was home to the writers

Henry David Thoreau Henry David Thoreau (July 12, 1817May 6, 1862) was an American naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher. A leading Transcendentalism, transcendentalist, he is best known for his book ''Walden'', a reflection upon simple living in natural su ...

and

Louisa May Alcott Louisa May Alcott (; November 29, 1832March 6, 1888) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet best known as the author of the novel ''Little Women'' (1868) and its sequels ''Little Men'' (1871) and ''Jo's Boys'' (1886). Raised in ...

at different times.

Description and history

The house was built in 1849 by Josiah Davis and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 12, 1976. Henry David Thoreau moved to this home in 1850 with his family; he stayed until his death on May 6, 1862.Ehrlich, Eugene and Gorton Carruth. ''The Oxford Illustrated Literary Guide to the United States''. New York: Oxford University Press, 1982: 45. After the death of her mother

Abby May Abigail "Abba" Alcott (née May; October 8, 1800 – November 25, 1877) was an American activist for several causes and one of the first paid social workers in the state of Massachusetts. She was the wife of transcendentalist Amos Bronson Alc ...

, Louisa May Alcott purchased the home for her recently widowed sister

Anna Alcott Pratt Anna Bronson Alcott Pratt (March 16, 1831 – July 17, 1893) was the elder sister of American novelist Louisa May Alcott. She was the basis for the character Margaret "Meg" of '' Little Women'' (1868), her sister's classic, semi-autobiographic ...

. Louisa also moved to the house, along with her father

Amos Bronson Alcott Amos Bronson Alcott (; November 29, 1799 – March 4, 1888) was an American teacher, writer, philosopher, and reformer. As an educator, Alcott pioneered new ways of interacting with young students, focusing on a conversational style, and av ...

. It was in this home that Louisa wrote her novel ''

Jo's Boys ''Jo's Boys, and How They Turned Out: A Sequel to "Little Men"'' is a novel by American author Louisa May Alcott, first published in 1886. The novel is the final book in the unofficial ''Little Women'' series. In it, Jo's children, now grown, ar ...

'' (1886), a sequel to ''

Little Women ''Little Women'' is a coming-of-age novel written by American novelist Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888). Alcott wrote the book, originally published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869, at the request of her publisher. The story follows the lives ...

'' (1868). Today, the home remains privately owned.

References

External links

Thoreau–Alcott House Story
from

Concord Free Public Library The Concord Free Public Library is a public library in the town of Concord, Massachusetts. The main building is located at 129 Main Street, and the Fowler branch is located at 1322 Main Street in West Concord. History The Concord Free Public Lib ...

Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Concord, Massachusetts Henry David Thoreau Houses completed in 1849 1849 establishments in Massachusetts {{ConcordMA-NRHP-stub

Description and history

See also

References

External links