Concord Museum

Concord Museum is a museum located in Concord, Massachusetts, founded in 1886 by a group of citizens including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry David Thoreau. The museum showcases the history of Concord, Massachusetts, with a focus on the American Revolution, American Civil War, and the lives of its notable residents, such as Louisa May Alcott and Daniel Chester French. The museum's collection includes artifacts related to Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams, among others. The museum is also near the Old North Bridge, a historic site where the Battle of Concord took place, and the Walden Pond, made famous by Henry David Thoreau's book Walden.

● History

The museum's history dates back to 1886, when it was founded by a group of citizens who wanted to preserve the history of Concord, Massachusetts. The museum's first home was in the Concord Town Hall, but it later moved to its current location on Cambridge Turnpike. The museum has undergone several renovations and expansions, including a major renovation in the 1990s, which was supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The museum has also received support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Concord Historical Commission. The museum's history is closely tied to the history of Concord, Massachusetts, which was a major hub for the American Revolution, with notable events such as the Battle of Lexington and Concord and the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.

● Collections

The museum's collections include over 30,000 artifacts, including furniture, textiles, and decorative arts, with a focus on the history of Concord, Massachusetts and its notable residents, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Louisa May Alcott. The collection includes artifacts related to the American Revolution, such as a Paul Revere-made silver cup and a John Hancock-signed document. The museum also has a collection of artifacts related to the American Civil War, including a Robert E. Lee-owned sword and a Ulysses S. Grant-signed document. The museum's collection also includes works by notable artists, such as John Singleton Copley and Winslow Homer, and artifacts related to the Transcendentalist movement, including the desk of Henry David Thoreau.

● Exhibitions

The museum's exhibitions showcase the history of Concord, Massachusetts and its notable residents, with a focus on the American Revolution and the American Civil War. The museum's exhibitions have included shows on the Battle of Concord, the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, and the life of Louisa May Alcott. The museum has also hosted exhibitions on the Transcendentalist movement, including a show on the life of Henry David Thoreau and his book Walden. The museum's exhibitions have been supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and have included loans from other museums, such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The museum has also collaborated with other institutions, such as the Concord Free Public Library and the Minuteman National Historical Park.

● Education

The museum offers a range of educational programs for children and adults, with a focus on the history of Concord, Massachusetts and its notable residents. The museum's educational programs include guided tours, workshops, and lectures, and are supported by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The museum also offers programs for schools, including the Concord Public Schools and the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. The museum's educational programs have been recognized by the American Alliance of Museums and the New England Museum Association. The museum has also partnered with other institutions, such as the Harvard University and the Boston University, to offer educational programs and workshops.

● Building and Grounds

The museum's building and grounds are located on Cambridge Turnpike in Concord, Massachusetts, near the Old North Bridge and the Walden Pond. The museum's building was designed by the architectural firm of Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson and Abbott and was completed in 1930. The museum's grounds include a garden and a courtyard, and offer views of the surrounding countryside, including the Assabet River and the Concord River. The museum's building and grounds have been recognized by the National Register of Historic Places and the Concord Historic District Commission. The museum is also near other historic sites, such as the The Wayside, the home of Nathaniel Hawthorne, and the Orchard House, the home of Louisa May Alcott.