Walking Tour Links Museum Objects

History lives next door and around just about every corner in Concord.

The Concord Museum is offering walking tours in conjunction with its current exhibit, "...into your hands." The exhibit is a gift to the town in honor of its 375th birthday in September.

Two members of the Museun's education staff led the first walking tour on Saturday for about seven people that went up Lexington Road to the Colonial Inn, around Monument and Lang streets to Lowell Road, up the Milldam to the Armory.

Along the route, Judy Fichtenbaum and Barbara Forman of the Museum staff, paused to point out the houses of the families that donated many of the items in the exhibit. The women guides also provided fascinating historical tips about early Concord.

For instance, that Harvard College moved to Concord in 1776 so that the Cambridge campus could be used by Colonial troops; and that the Colonial Inn was built in three sections, the middle one once used as a storage facility for guns and ammunition when the British Regulars occupied the town before April 19, 1775.

Forman said the Emerson House on Lexington Road close to the Museum is one of the only houses in the nation "that has not changed one iota" since it was occupied by Ralph Waldo Emerson. There are artifacts from the family in the exhibit on the Museum's second floor.

The oldest object in the exhibit dates from about 1664. It is a still-colorful embroidery made by a young Rebecca Wheeler who was born in 1645.

Tour participants Sara Ballard and Darien Smith said they heard about the walk and decided to join in. They are members of the Museum.

"I'm interested in history," said Ballard. "This is fun."

Fichtenbaum led the group to the deep pink-red Reuben Brown house built in 1667, and almost 200 years later, in 1886, it became the Concord Antiquarian House.

Across Lexington Road and up  towards Monument Square a bit, Fichtenbaum stopped to point out 54 Lexington Road and its neighbor, number 48. She said once the two homes were joined together in a tenement, and formed part of the Church Green with the First Parish as its center.

No. 57 Lexington Road was occupied by Samuel Bartlett who moved to Concord from Boston in 1775 as he feared the King's soldiers after the siege of Boston.

"There were other refugees that came out to Concord too," said Fichtenbaum.

Bartlett was a silversmith, she said. He moved back to Cambridge after the Revolutionary War.

A tan cinderblock house dates from 1670 and was built by Thomas Pellet. Fichtenbaum said he was a gravedigger, whose house stands directly in front of the Old Hill Burying Ground.

"He just went out his back door to go to work," said Fichtenbaum.

But what is also interesting is that the house is not cinderblock, it is a solid material that had lines carved into it to look like stone, she said. Another historic home that is made of the same material carved in the same fashion is Mt. Vernon, home of George Washington, Forman noted.

Fichtenbaum said the first part of the Colonial Inn was built in 1716 by James Minot. The middle part became a storage place for munitions as tensions rose between the farmers in Concord and the British forces.

"They wanted to make sure they had adequate arms in case something happened," said Fichtenbaum.

The inn was also a general store for a time after the war before it became a place for lodging.

"So many people were involved in so many things," said Fichtenbaum.

Other walking tours are Aug. 21, and Sept. 11 and 18. Call 978 369-9763 for reservations. Cost is $15; $10 for members.

Other museum programs include:

Nooks and Crannies

A Scavenger Hunt in honor of Concord's 375th

Saturday, Aug. 14 through Sunday, Sept. 12

Think you know every nook and cranny of Concord?  See the town through new eyes on an old-fashioned scavenger hunt! It's a great way to make Concord's history, landscape, streets and buildings come to life. Bring the whole family along—or venture out on your own—to tackle tricky questions and in the process discover cool things about the town. No previous knowledge is required—you just need a sharp mind, keen eyes and a good pair of shoes. Pick up your copy of "Nooks and Crannies" at the Concord Museum admission desk beginning Saturday, Aug. 14 ($15 per entry); visit the town at your leisure to follow the clues. Return the completed hunt to the Concord Museum admission desk by 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12 to receive a token of participation for each scavenger. All correct entries will be included in a drawing for the grand prize of a $100 gift certificate from the Concord Toy Shop.

Be Our Guest

Admission-Free Summer Evening

5-8 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010

A summer evening is the perfect opportunity to visit the Concord Museum. Bring family, friends or out of town guests to linger in the Museum's engaging history galleries and special exhibition of treasured objects passed down through generations, "into your hands…", take in the quiet eloquence of the "Exploring Concord" film, and enjoy the historic beauty of period rooms filled with Concord antiques. Create your own summer memories with family-friendly, hands-on activities. Visit for the first time or revisit favorite galleries – all free on Wednesday evening, Aug. 18, from 5 – 8 p.m.

Free Fun Friday!

Sponsored by the Highland Street Foundation

Sept. 3  •  9:00-5:00

History, music, family activities and free admission make for a lively end-of-summer celebration at the Museum.  Don't miss performances by the Silver Leaf Jazz Band at 12 p.m., 1 and 2. Thanks to the generosity of the Highland Street Foundation, the Concord Museum is open to all for a Free Fun Friday from 9:00-5:00!