Louisa May Alcott is My Passion
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.
When you think about all the different people who lived at The Wayside over the years, it's no wonder the house has gone through so many changes. Here are some of the more significant ones: Home of a minuteman The earliest known date for The Wayside is c.1700 and was a typical two story, wood …
Continue reading "Quirky Wayside offers a wealth of history: the architecture"
I recently watched again the PBS film Louisa May Alcott The Woman Behind Little Women and thoroughly enjoyed it. To see Louisa portrayed on the small screen is just as thrilling as ever. This reminded me of how I started my blog 1 year ago today after reading the book. What a wonderful year it …
Continue reading "One year old today! Celebrating with a special gift for you!"
I'm on vacation this week and no vacation is complete without another tour of Orchard House, this time with a friend who has never been there before. I must say, I am always impressed at how knowledgeable the guides are at Orchard House. I've been there numerous times and always learn something new! Today I …
Continue reading "Why no book displaying May Alcott Nieriker’s paintings?"
I just created a page with personal recommendations of places to visit and things to do while visiting Concord, Massachusetts. The one thing I could not recommend is hotels because I live too close to Concord to have stayed overnight. Here's some recommendations for those of you who want to indulge in living history (to …
Continue reading "Coming to Concord this summer? Here’s some recommendations"
The official Louisa May Alcott website has started its own blog with updates on the Orchard House centennial. Here's their first installment detailing the history of the acquisition of Orchard House. This looks like a great blog and I suggest following it so that you won't miss a minute of the centennial celebration. There are …
Continue reading "The countdown begins! Orchard House celebrates its centennial"
Here's a great essay by Klara Stephanie Szlezák where she concludes that staging is critical to the success of an historical homestead. Kudos to Orchard House for the brilliance of its staging which so beautifully captures not just the era Louisa May Alcott lived in, but her home, her family and her classic, Little Women. …
Continue reading "What makes Orchard House such a compelling historical site?"
There can't be a better place in the world to celebrate Patriot's Day (celebrated in April) than Concord, MA where the "shot heard round the world" was fired, and America was on its way to becoming a nation. Watch the Orchard House staff and friends celebrate in the town's annual parade.
Here's a brand new start-up company founded by two enterprising women who offer in-depth tours of the literary treasures of Concord, MA. Gatepost Tours began last February and is taking off like a rocket. Friends Joan Spinazola and Alida Bailey are the co-owners. Sounds like a great way to spend a summer vacation! Check out …
Continue reading "Want to book a vacation in Concord touring its literary treasures?"
Here’s an interesting article about Dorothea Dix, the powerhouse behind the organizatio of women nurses for the Civil War (the first time women were allowed to serve as nurses). Louisa May Alcott served under Dix: “ . . . Thirty-year-old Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women who nursed at Union Hospital in Washington, …
Continue reading "Why Louisa May Alcott has Dorothea Dix to thank for her nursing career"
Here's an article from Boston.com about the upcoming celebration of Orchard House's 100th birthday as a moment to the Alcott family: By Sarah Thomas, Town Correspondent The Louisa May Alcott Memorial Association is celebrating its centennial anniversary, marking 100 years since the group formed to purchase and restore the beloved Concord author's home of Orchard …
Continue reading "More information about Orchard House’s centennial celebration"
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 