Begun in 2010, this blog offers analysis and reflection by Susan Bailey on the life, works and legacy of Louisa May Alcott and her family. Susan is an active member and supporter of the Louisa May Alcott Society, the Fruitlands Museum and Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House.
Coming up on Thursday, February 8 from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Brigham Hill Community Barn in Grafton, MA (my hometown), I will be giving a presentation on the Victorian housewife as seen through the experiences of the Alcotts: Description I will explores the back-breaking work of the typical Victorian housewife through the experiences …
2017 has been a banner year for Alcott fans (and more is promised in 2018 and 2019 as the 150th anniversary of the publication of Little Women looms). As a result it has also been quite the year for this blog! Especially within the last several months, the growth of readership has been extraordinary. I …
In a collaboration between the Louisa May Alcott Society and Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House, a new Facebook discussion group has been created. It is called Louisa May Alcott: A Group for Fans, Readers, & Scholars. I hope you will all join in on the discussion! Here's a tease as to what is available in …
Here is Orchard House's announcement regarding the airing of "Little Women" on Masterpiece Theatre (taken from a December 7, 2017 Facebook post): "Now and then, in this work-a-day world, things do happen in the delightful story-book fashion, and what a comfort that is." from Little Women, "Pleasant Meadows." It's true! Thrilled to share that the …
For all you lucky souls who get BBC One, the air dates have been announced for the three-part Little Women series! From the BBC Christmas TV Guide Boxing Day - Tuesday, December 26 Little Women (1/3) - 7.30pm on BBC One - Based on Louisa May Alcott's universally beloved novel, this new three-part series is …
I am pleased to announce that the Boston Globe has covered the recent discovery of previously unpublished photos of Anna Alcott Pratt and John Bridge Pratt which I posted on this blog. Here you will meet Mrs. Donna Keeler, the owner of the photo album, and get to see the album page with John and …
Pink Umbrella Books, a Phoenix-based micropublisher is currently accepting submissions for a Little Women Anthology in honor of the upcoming 2018 150th anniversary of its publication. Here are details from their website: Pink Umbrella Books is pleased to honor the beloved children’s classic with an original anthology. We invite writers around the world to submit …
“What fun we had this evening when Louisa May Alcott came to visit her childhood home at Fruitlands!” Facebook post from the Fruitlands Museum It was indeed great fun taking in the living history performance by actress and historian Marianne Donnelly at the Fruitlands Museum Vistor’s Center. Her bigger-than-life portrayal of Louisa May Alcott was …
We just passed the 149th anniversary of the publication of part one of Little Women. Happy Anniversary! And we have an exciting year ahead of us, particularly with the three-part Masterpiece Theater production of Little Women coming up in the Spring (with Jan Turnquist, Executive Director of Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House acting as consultant!). …
Recently I took in a tour of Orchard House (I've lost count how many times I've toured this wonderful home) and learned some fascinating new information with regards to the renovations made to the house. Merging the main house with a cottage The tour guide disclosed information from the Fox family whose ancestors had owned …