Discover Concord

See what's happening in Concord this winter!

Stepping across the threshold of Vanderhoof Hardware, you travel back in time.  The soft jingle of the shopkeeper’s bell, the gentle creak of wooden floors that have witnessed customers coming and going for more than 115 years, the unassuming murmur of voices discussing home improvement projects, and the ring of a 1930’s telephone (yes, it still works), all let you know you are someplace special.

The winter months can be confining in New England – short days and longer periods of darkness set in from October through January. We tend to hunker down in our homes and spend more time inside, seeking warmth and safety. Festivities and gatherings around town have promised to give us a chance to connect and check-in, to be a part of a community. Over the years, Concord has dependably been a safe and vibrant place to spend the holidays.  

Meet Concord artists Jonathan Macadam, painter, and Martha Wallace, ceramicist.

The Marquis de Lafayette visited Portland, Maine during a grand tour of the United States in 1825. When Mary Moody Emerson—fifty years old at the time—was introduced to the aging hero of the American Revolution, she told him she was “‘in arms’ at the Concord Fight.”¹ 

It was a joke, but as always, her wit had an edge of truth. She was indeed present for the “shot heard ’round the world,” but the “arms” she was in were her those of her mother, clutching eight-month-old Mary as the battle raged 150 yards from her window at the Old Manse.

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents, grumbled Jo . . .” The irony — the beautiful irony — of Louisa May Alcott’s opening words in Little Women is striking, as the ultimate message of the book is quite the opposite of its iconic opening line. Readers of Little Women simply begin a journey that leads to a boldly empowering expansion of the heart. We follow along with the March sisters as they learn to care for others, even while struggling with their own desires and disappointments, and we identify with their experiences. Whether enacting a play for an audience in their parlor, or preparing to give their Christmas breakfast feast to a needy family, our mind’s eye envisions the girls’ widening realization that caring for something other than self and sharing what gifts they possess are far more fulfilling than receiving presents.

Concord, Massachusetts can claim many famous sons and daughters, including writers, philosophers, revolutionaries, and educators. Among that august group stands Gregory Maguire – author, educator, philanthropist, and champion for literacy and literature education.

He is best known as the author of more than 40 children’s books, short stories, novels for adults, and non-fiction works. From the international best-seller and Broadway hit Wicked, to Egg and Spoon, Gregory’s works have captured the imagination of readers around the world.

New Englanders have an ongoing love affair with their beloved, and ubiquitous, “Dunks.” The morning coffee (hot or iced – even in the depth of winter!), pastry, or breakfast sandwich has long been a part of our morning ritual. Dunkin’ is synonymous with the early risers, the hard-working set, the sports fans, and the pursuit of the American Dream.

One of the best things about the holidays is the food. From that first bite of turkey to the last slice of pie, gathering around the table with family and friends – and good food – makes this time of year special. We may not be able to gather this year as we have in the past, so we are bringing you seasonal treats and even a few recipes from some of Concord’s favorite chefs to make your holidays special. Whether you choose to cater for a small group, dine-in, or take out, Concord’s shops and restaurants have everything you need for that perfect holiday meal.

So much is different about the holidays this year. With dear friends and family far away, gift giving takes on a whole new meaning. Channeling that effort locally is a great way to also support the friends and neighbors who run our local shops and restaurants. That support means so much to them – and they are showing the love right back, by working hard to make shopping local both safe and fun this holiday season.

Discover the tall tales you've heard so often -- and the true stories behind them.

On a cold winter’s day in 1982, Loring Wilkins Coleman (1918-2015) embarked on one of his favorite activities: driving around Massachusetts to look at old barns and houses. On the recommendation of his son Andrew, Coleman went to the town of Sterling in search of a “superb grouping of buildings,” and struck gold. “It was indeed one of the most handsome New England farms I had ever seen,” recalled Coleman. It took ten days to complete a detailed pencil drawing of the farm buildings, but it wasn’t until 2003 that Coleman finished his painting of the view. 

Winters in New England can be harsh and unforgiving with days, or even weeks, of below-freezing temperatures and with snowfalls that are often measured in feet. It’s a season when all but the heartiest of New Englanders hunker down, put on a few extra layers of flannel, crank the thermostat, and stay cozy and warm at home. 

One Concordian who enjoyed the winter, though, was Henry David Thoreau. He would happily go on his daily walk “in all seasons” and a wintery landscape held just as much promise for an exciting excursion as did the fields and forests in July. 

There’s no stopping love. World-wide pandemic or not, we are living love with our family, friends, and community. We are taking care of ourselves and helping others in whatever ways that we can. We might be staying local and keeping six feet apart, but we’re grabbing those lemons, making lemonade, and embracing the surprising sweetnesses of this time. 

Concord shines in the light of winter.

In September of 1837, as criticism of his Temple School grew, Transcendentalist philosopher and educator Amos Bronson Alcott received a lifeline: a lengthy correspondence from an English admirer. Having learned of Bronson’s grand experiment through the reading of Record of a School (written by Bronson’s assistant, Elizabeth Peabody), James Pierrepont Greaves had created his own Temple School, naming it Alcott House. Following the closure of his Temple School in 1841, Bronson  traveled to London in 1842 to visit Alcott House, returning six months later with a partnership and a vision. While in England, Alcott met Charles Lane, an English Transcendentalist, disciple of James Pierrepont Greaves, and admirer of Bronson Alcott. Together, the two men founded their utopian community in America, beginning in Concord in October 1842. Nine months later, the group moved to the Wyman Farm in Harvard, purchased by Lane. Alcott, his wife and four girls along with Lane and his son, joined a handful of followers at Fruitlands on June 1, 1843.

Test your knowledge of Concord history!

Non-profit groups are at the core of Concord’s beloved cultural and historic heritage. They preserve our history, foster our creativity, educate, inform, and even feed our community. This year, in particular, has been challenging for so many groups as performances had to be cancelled, historic sites closed, and employees and volunteers furloughed. So please remember to include Concord’s non-profit organizations in your holiday giving.