ralph waldo emerson house

Absolutely a must see. The tour guide was so knowledgeable and answered every question we had. Wish we could go back.

This home, which we learned on the tour is still privately owned by the family, has limited hours. When open, there is an ongoing tour which means you join in where they are on the tour and then continue until you have seen and heard it all. You must ring the doorbell, and then the hostess answers in costume. Very period. Many of the original furnishings are on the tour, including a bust that is quite famous of Emerson. It was very enjoyable and the tour guides very knowledgeable.

I have visited this home 2 times. The home has a lot of interesting artifacts. The staff is nice but the tour feels a bit rote and scripted. My friend really enjoyed all the books on display and the knowledge of the staff.

Emerson's writings about individualism and self reliance are recalled in the tour of his home in Concord. The 19th century four square home is open for guided tours by a knowledgeable staff. The house is mostly furnished with items from Waldo Emerson and his family and in some cases such as his dressing coats and hats which seem to be waiting for him to come back and wear. The home is large and filled with items that have stories and relationships to Emerson and his work developing lectures and essays. Several items in the home were constructed by Henry D Thoreau which adds an additional level of interest for fans of the two writers and their relationship. There is a fee for the tour and parking is along the street in front of the home. There are stairs and the upper rooms of the house are an important part of the story of the home.

Unfortunately when I drove here, it wasn't open for visitors, which was a real disappointment. I wish it was.

We were in Concord for a wedding and decided to visit some of the special places there and we are pleased we did! My husband study Emerson in college, thus, he was thrilled to visit his home and the Concord museum. The tour guides are wonderful and provided excellent information on the house and Emerson & his family for about 30 minutes. If you are in the area when they are opened, you must go! A few hints: you can get a ticket at the Concord Museum for the Museum, Emerson House and Alcott home for a discounted price. We did and would highly recommend going that way for once you buy the ticket all you have to do is get it stamped at the the other homes. Also, it DOES NOT have A/C, thus, if you go in the summer, go early. Some people were overcome by the heat when they went upstairs. (Some fans but no A/C and I didn't see a bathroom, however, you can go over to the Concord museum for a bathroom break) Lastly, I would not recommend this tour for young children or individuals who might have a difficult time with stairs. PLEASE go if you are in Concord..Worth the visit!

We enjoyed seeing the home with the furniture and articles as used by the Emerson family. The doll house in the girls' bedroom was delightful. The tour guides made the house come alive with their stories about the family and also Thoreau who was a frequent visitor.

It was such a joy to visit this house with all of the original furniture and such. The staff was also great--very kind and knowledgeable!

This wonderful historical house maintains original furnishings from Emerson's era, save for his study, which has been transported across the road to the Concord Museum. At several points in the tour, the connection between Emerson, Thoreau, and the other local residents who were part of the important literary and historical movements in Concord, comes to life in interesting ways, from the study table at which they met, to the children's dollhouse built by Thoreau. Unfortunately, the tour focuses far too much attention on minute details of the furnishings and the extended family, as if all of the tourists were half-way through their dissertations on 19th Century Concord. Undoubtedly, this keeps it interesting for the guides, who might get bored with a more top-level presentation, but it causes the tour to drag a bit for those of us who skipped the pre-reading. A humble suggestion: Make the standard tour shorter, and provide an historical and literary summary of Emerson and his guests, tying part of the story in each room to something that is significant about the room, and spend much less time on the marriage travails of the children or the history of each painting or photograph. Then offer an extended "historian's tour" once each day for those who want the complete package.

I must admit to being an Emerson fan. His writings have influenced my life since I was 17. His home is privately owned and well cared for. The docents are friendly and knowledgeable. Much of the original furnishings, wall papers,wall hangings, and even his bathrobe are original. I have been there many times and when friends come to visit from other parts of the country, I will go again. If you have any interest in American literature, this will definitely be a treat.

The grounds include an arbor first laid out by H.D. Thoreau and, we were told but didn't find, includes a trail to Walden Pond that Waldo and the gang ambled along. Inside excellent guides walk you through rooms furnished as if Waldo was out on errands and may return at any time. As with Orchard House much is of the HOUSE, not just of the period. It also includes more examples of Thoreau's ability to create -- the little shelf under the chair, a doll house. The totality puts a real human face on the people who created so much that remains relevant to this and any day. Well Done.

You open the front gate, walk up to the front door and a pleasant lady opens the door and bids you welcome to Mr. Emerson's house. This is the home of one of America's greatest minds, a man of substance who lived very comfortably and extended hospitality and friendship to many of our most famous writers and thinkers. The home is still privately owned by Emerson descendants and feels very much alive. I am sorry Mr. Emerson was not home when we dropped by, but I can easily imagine him coming around the corner!

This house is really special. It's filled with authentic pieces; loved the different beds, one is beautifully painted and stenciled and ropes kept the bed firm (no box springs then). Little touches like the back splash cloth above the basin tables are unique. The guides (upstairs and down) are excellent.

Mr. Emerson was the darling of Concord. Parking isn't the easiest but if you are able to walk, you'll be ok. Handicap spaces weren't available.

The house is beautiful, and filled with family furnishings. Good tour guides, and I liked that the family still owns the house! Worth a visit for Emerson fans, and actually anyone who likes history, literature, old houses.