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Program Reservations may be made in person at Orchard House during regular hours of operation, by mail to P.O. Box 343, Concord, MA; by phone to (978) 369-4118 x106; or via fax with credit card only to (978) 369-1367. For further information on any program offered, please contact the Director of Education weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (978) 369-4118 x106. To
receive regular notice of upcoming events and “Friends
of the Alcotts” News of Note: A link to news and announcements about Orchard House and its supporters |
|
View all public events at Orchard House -- including
special events, educational programs, fundraisers, and volunteer opportunities
-- in a graphical calendar format by clicking on Calendar
of Events. You can return using the link at the bottom of each
calendar page. |
To
see a record of past events at Orchard House,
go to Aunt Jo's Events Scrapbook | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Orchard House will be closed January 1 - 3, 2010 We will re-open on Monday, January 4, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. "Behind-the-Scenes" Exhibit! The Making of
Visit Orchard House through March 31st for a special look This unique exhibit is offered during regular hours of operation
Photo above left: Photographer Liane Brandon (from www.newday.com) Photo above right: Actress Elizabeth Marvel as Louisa May Alcott, Saturday, January 23 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.
February 2010 at Orchard House Call for Proposals Deadline: February 15, 2010 The 2010 Summer Conversational Series and Teacher Institute “In Heaven's Name, Give Her A Chance!" ~ More information available as planning proceeds ~ Professional Development Points are awarded to Massachusetts teachers participating in the Teacher Institute
Tuesday - Friday, February 16 - 19 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. daily Saturday, March 27 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday, April 20 - 23 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. daily Plumfield Fun Week! Join us for a week of fun during April school vacation! Try your hand at activities popular with Louisa May Alcott and her sisters. Our trained staff will help you act, write, make a craft, and draw just like the Alcott girls -- the real-life models for “Meg,” “Jo,” “Beth,” and “Amy”!
Plumfield Fun Week daily details … Tuesday,
April 20th Tuesday - Friday, April 20 - 23 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. daily Saturday, June 26 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.
The 2010 Summer Conversational Series and Teacher Institute
“In Heaven's Name, Give Her A Chance!" ~ More information available as planning proceeds ~ Professional Development Points are awarded to Massachusetts teachers participating in the Teacher Institute
Saturday, July 24 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.
Saturday, August 28 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.
September 2010 at Orchard House Saturday, September 25 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.
Saturday, October 23 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.
Sunday,
October 24 12:00 noon (registration begins
at 10:30 a.m.) Pippig, founder of “Take the Magic Step,” a fitness awareness program and charitable foundation, believes that everyone owes it to themselves -- and to future generations -- to take care of their physical well being. In endorsing this particular Walk/Run, Pippig is also paying tribute to health-conscious individuals who have come before us, like the Alcotts. All manner of runners and walkers – from serious marathoners to “strollercisers” and wheelchair travelers – are encouraged to spend a day with Louisa May and support the educational and preservation efforts of her beloved home during this FUNdraiser! Musical entertainment provided; starting volley by The Concord Minute Men. Living History portrayers and 19th C. games and toys available. Event held rain or shine. Meet at Concord-Carlisle
High School (500 Walden Street, Concord) for registration beginning
at 10:30 a.m. Walk/Run route traverses Historic Concord, Massachusetts
during lovely Fall Foliage time. Runners, please note: This flat course is an easy, fun way to help you qualify for future events!
Click to Register on-line at active.com Click to download a Registration Form Click to Donate to the Walk/Run or Sponsor a participant Click here to download maps of the Walk/Run Routes Click here to find out more about Uta Pippig Click here to download a full-color brochure (includes Registration & Sponsorship Forms) Click here for a "Save the date" postcard
For questions or comments about the Walk/Run, please e-mail walkrun@louisamayalcott.org November 2010 at Orchard House December 2010 at Orchard House Saturdays December 4th, 11th, 18th 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sundays December 5th, 12th, 19th 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. Annual Holiday Program Orchard House will be decorated for the holidays with the tasteful, festive simplicity that the Alcotts were noted for, and come alive with costumed "Living History" characters, activities for children and families, and take-home mementos! ~ Advance reservations strongly suggested
for these special tours ~ Members of Orchard House receive an additional 10% Store discount! Phone 978.369.4118 x106 for information/reservations
Click the photo for scenes from prior holiday programs
Please note: On weekdays in December, as well as the last weekend in the month, Orchard House will be open for regular guided tours with regular admission costs; reservations on these days are only required for groups of 10 or more Orchard
House is closed to the public for routine maintenance and inventory
from January 1st – 15th; Saturday,
January 24 4:45 - 5:45 p.m. Call for Proposals: Deadline January 31, 2009 The
2009 Summer Conversational Series “Striking a Blow for Freedom:
Professional
Development Points awarded to Massachusetts teachers participating in the Teacher Institute! Through January 30, 2009 In November and December, the exhibit will be enhanced through lecture-discussions by renowned Alcott scholars Daniel Shealy, Joel Myerson, and John Matteson (2008 Pulitzer Prize winner). For more details, hours, and directions, please visit Photo: May Alcott by Rose Peckham, 1877 (oil on canvas). February 2009 at Orchard House Click here for a poster with February events. Saturday, February 14 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday,
February 17 - Friday, February 20 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. daily Sunday,
March 22 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Saturday,
March 28 4:45 - 5:45 p.m. Tours
with a Patriotic Flair! On special display this year is a British Regular uniform from the 10th Light Infantry. Imagine seeing nearly a thousand of these uniforms walking past your window on April 19th, as the early occupants of Orchard House did! Offered during regular hours
of operation;
Tuesday,
April 21 - Friday, April 24
Cost: $100 for the week
or $30 per day (Orchard House Members: $80 & $24 respectively) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tuesday,
April 21 - Friday, April 24 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. daily Saturday,
April 25 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Seasonal tasks include raking leaves, collecting
downed branches, weeding, and possibly some planting. Gloves, gardening
tools, or tarps are helpful to bring. Lunch,
snacks, and beverages provided (let us know if you can provide healthy refreshments). Community Service credit given to High Schoolers and Boy/Girl Scouts! Click here for a “Spruce Up” poster. Saturday & Sunday,
May 2 & 3, 2009
Visitors will also have access to a laptop to vote for Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House to win the 2009 Partners in Preservation contest. Print materials for the Partners in Preservation contest generously subsidized in part by Deborah Scarff of The Better Light and Budget Printing of Concord LLC. Regular admission charged for tours; all other activities and refreshments free of charge. A wonderful friends and families activity! Friday,
May 29 7:00 p.m. Two new music ensembles, the Oak Meadow Montessori Choir and Teen Cabaret, will perform a special concert featuring a wide variety of musical works with piano accompaniment. Orchard House is thrilled to host the Oak Meadow Montessori community for this concert, as in the early 1900s Maria Montessori codified much of her pedagogy from the teachings of innovative educators such as A. Bronson Alcott. Today, Montessori is known world-wide not only for the intellectual accomplishments of their students, but also for providing children, their parents, and educators with diverse social and emotional growth experiences. Seating for this very special event is limited; light refreshments will be served. For further information, please call Oak Meadow Montessori School Click
here to download a color flyer listing our summer programs Thursday,
June 4 7:30 p.m. (preceded by reception)
Seating is limited; cost $10.00 per person. Friday,
June 26 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Saturday,
June 27 4:45 - 5:45 p.m. Click
here to download a color flyer listing our summer programs Wednesday,
July 1 9:30
- 11:30 a.m. Saturday,
July 4 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Independence Day Special! Wednesday,
July 8 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Thursday,
July 9 9:30
- 11:30 a.m. The
2009 Summer Conversational Series “Striking a Blow for Freedom:
Professional
Development Points awarded to Massachusetts teachers participating in the Teacher Institute! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Our Esteemed Presenters so far include ... Click here to read bios of our Esteemed Presenters.
COSTS (20% discount for Orchard House Members; 50% discount for Students with ID) For a Complete Packet of Materials, click here. To see a Daily Schedule, click here. For a Registration Form, click here. To read Presenter Bios, click here. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday,
July 23 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Monday
- Friday, July 20 - 24 9:00 a.m. - 2:00
p.m.
Cost: $230 (Members - 10% off) Saturday,
July 25
Learn to play Graces or join in a game of Croquet. Promenade around the Maypole, "trundle" Hoops, This program is free of charge and appropriate for all ages!
Saturday,
July 25 4:45 - 5:45 p.m. Monday
- Friday, July 27 - 31 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Click
here to download a color flyer listing our summer programs Monday
- Friday, August 3 - 7 9:00
a.m. - 2:00 p.m. About Workshop Leader Marjorie Tudor … Tuesday,
August 11 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Wednesday,
August 12 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Thursday,
August 20 9:30
- 11:30 a.m. Friday,
August 21 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Saturday,
August 22 4:45 - 5:45 p.m. Saturday,
October 24 4:45 - 5:45 p.m. Sunday,
October 25 12:00 noon (registration begins
at 10:30 a.m.) Pippig, founder of “Take the Magic Step,” a fitness awareness program and charitable foundation, believes that everyone owes it to themselves -- and to future generations -- to take care of their physical well being. In endorsing this particular Walk/Run, Pippig is also paying tribute to health-conscious individuals who have come before us, like the Alcotts. All manner of runners and walkers – from serious marathoners to “strollercisers” and wheelchair travelers – are encouraged to spend a day with Louisa May and support the educational and preservation efforts of her beloved home during this FUNdraiser! Musical entertainment provided; starting volley by The Concord Minute Men. Living History portrayers and 19th C. games and toys available. Event held rain or shine. Meet at Concord-Carlisle High School (500 Walden Street, Concord) for registration beginning at 10:30 a.m. Walk/Run route traverses Historic Concord, Massachusetts during lovely Fall Foliage time. Runners, please note: This flat course is an easy, fun way to help you qualify for future events! 
BONUS for 2009 All registered runners will be automatically entered to win one of two subscriptions to New England Runner magazine (a $19.97 value)! (Walk/Run Registration Form serves as entry form; winners selected after the race) New! Click to Register on-line at active.com Click to download a Registration Form Click to Donate to the Walk/Run or Sponsor a participant Click here to download maps of the Walk/Run Routes Click here to find out more about Uta Pippig Click here to download a full-color brochure (includes Registration & Sponsorship Forms) Click here for a "Save the date" postcard
Thanks to our Sponsors!
For questions or comments about the Walk/Run, please e-mail walkrun@louisamayalcott.org Friday,
October 30 6:30 p.m.
The evening begins with a hearty hors d'oeuvres reception in The Concord School of Philosophy on the grounds of Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House. At 7:15, enjoy a full screening of the new 90-minute documentary, immediately followed by a Q&A with the producers, Nancy Porter and Harriet Reisen. Tickets for this very special event are $25 per person and include coupons for half-price admission to Orchard House and Fruitlands Museum Reservations are strongly recommended as seating is limited; phone 978.369.4118 x106 for further information/reservations
For details about the documentary and related materials, please
November 2009 at Orchard House Sunday,
November 1 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. in The Concord School of Philosophy Prior to their public reading at Concord Academy's Chapel, meet two acclaimed authors who greatly appreciate "the genius loci of Concord, Massachusetts." Orchard House Executive Director Jan Turnquist will also present remarks about The Concord School of Philosophy. This event is co-sponsored by the Library of Congress, Massachusetts Center for the Book, and Woodberry Poetry Room at Harvard University For further information, please click here Louisa May Alcott: The Women Behind Little Women Book-Signing by Harriet Reisen at The Concord Bookshop Meet Harriet Reisen, who not only co-produced the first-ever documentary about Louisa May Alcott, but also wrote this new biography! Hear about her lifelong affinity with Alcott, and discover what an incredible journey the writing of this book has been for her. This event is presented by The Concord Bookshop, located at 65 Main Street in Concord For further information, please phone 978.369.2405 or click here
Community Service Credit provided to High School students and Boy/Girl Scouts! RSVP to Orchard House at 978.369.4118 by November 12th
Sunday,
November 29 1:00 p.m. A Shared Alcott Birthday Celebration at Fruitlands Museum This joint program -- held at the site of the Alcotts' 1843 Utopian experiment in Harvard, Massachusetts -- features Louisa May and Bronson Alcott engaging in lively discussions about the family's life before and after fame, as well as author/producer Harriet Reisen, who will introduce her new biography, Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women. Tea and birthday cake will be provided. Tickets for this very special event are $25 per person and include coupons for half-price admission to Orchard House and Fruitlands Museum Reservations are suggested; please phone Fruitlands at 978.456.3924 x227 for further information/reservations
For details about the Louisa May Alcott documentary and biography, please visit the official website December
2009 at Orchard House
Saturdays December 5th, 12th, 19th 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
1:00 – 4:30 p.m. Annual Holiday Program A Fireside Christmas at Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House Orchard House will be decorated for the holidays with the tasteful, festive simplicity that the Alcotts were noted for, and come alive with costumed "Living History" characters, activities for children and families, and take-home mementos!
~ Advance reservations strongly suggested
for these special tours ~ Members of Orchard House receive an additional 10% Store discount! Phone 978.369.4118 x106 for reservations Holiday Weekend Costs Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House gratefully acknowledges the help and support of many individuals and organizations during this year’s Holiday Program. Please click here for a complete list
Click the photo for scenes from prior holiday programs
Please note: On weekdays in December, as well as the last weekend in the month, Orchard House will be open for regular guided tours with regular admission costs; reservations on these days are only required for groups of 10 or more Premiere of “Louisa May Alcott:
Check your local television listings to view this first-ever documentary about Miss Alcott made for the American Masters series!
Louisa May Alcott, please consult the official website
December 29, 2009 - March 31, 2010 "Behind-the-Scenes" Exhibit! The Making of
Visit Orchard House through March 31st for a special look This unique exhibit is offered during regular hours of operation
Photo above left: Liane Brandon (from www.newday.com) Photo above right: Actress Elizabeth Marvel as Louisa May Alcott, December 2009 - February 2010 Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House will be collecting items for our US troops through February 2010. Items may either be dropped off at Orchard House during open hours or left in the collection box inside the front gate. Please see attached list for accepted items
Please click here for an easy way to remember our recovering soldiers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This year’s series focuses on the Alcott family’s dedication to the 19th century reform and antislavery movement and Concord’s ties to the John Brown raid on Harper’s Ferry in 1859. 
The
extensive resources of The Concord Free Public Library and Louisa May Alcott's
Orchard House combine to present this first-ever detailed glimpse into the development
of May Alcott's artistic talent!
“Love’s Own Day” would not be complete without celebrating
at Orchard House with Miss Alcott herself! Tour with the lady of the house and
share stories, games, crafts, and holiday refreshments that compliment this extra-special
visit. 
Come
for all or part of the day to help keep Orchard House looking
great on the outside!
We are delighted to host preeminent British historian of photography Colin Ford as he begins his American lecture tour this year. Considered by The London Times to be "the doyen of British historians of photography," Ford began his career in the theatre and is an experienced director and broadcaster. He has been Keeper of Film and Photography at the National Portrait Gallery (London), Founding Head of Britain’s National Media Museum, Director of the National Museums & Galleries of Wales, Chair of the Kraszna-Krausz Foundation and of Partnership Events & Entertainment Ltd, and most recently a Visiting Lecturer/Researcher at the Universities of Sao Paolo and Texas-Austin, the International Museum of Photography (Rochester, NY), and the Reiss-Engelhorn Museum (Mannheim). Guest curator of photographic exhibits around the world, Ford has also authored more than a dozen books on photography, as well as three books on Lewis Carroll. His particular expertise is in the life and works of Julia Margaret Cameron, the "19th Century Photographer of Genius," whose image of Thomas Carlyle (reproduced at left) hangs in Mr. Alcott's Study. 
Held
annually for over 20 years, Picnic in the Park (Emerson Field
in Concord) is a fun-filled way to spend Independence Day! This year -- in
addition to interactive 19th C. games and Living History portrayers -- Orchard
House is delighted to feature silhouette artist extraordinaire CAROL LEBEAUX
of Shrewsbury, MA. Continuing a time-honored tradition, Carol creates hand-cut
heirloom portraits of children, couples, families, and pets, working directly
from sitting models or profile photographs. Carol is one of only a handful
of true silhouette artists in the country, and her work has been featured in
magazines such as Vogue, Real Simple, Country Living, and House
Beautiful. Carol also lends her talent to charity, and this year, she
will be generously donating a portion of her sales to support Orchard House!
So enjoy the picnic, take home a lovely keepsake, and encourage friends and
neighbors to do the same, especially since you’ll also be helping one
of Concord’s most beloved historic sites.
Join May Alcott and her dear friend, Annie Bartlett, in the year 1863 to celebrate May's birthday on the lawn of Orchard House!
Mrs.
Tudor graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor’s
degree in Journalism and a Master’s in Education. She has
also been a teacher of high school English and Language Arts
in Connecticut public schools. Mrs. Tudor wrote and illustrated
her first children’s book, Let’s Be Friends,
and is currently at work on a new book. In addition to being
Vice President of Tasha Tudor and Family, Mrs.
Tudor is highly skilled in doll and marionette making, and enjoys
sharing all her talents with young people and adults in small
group settings. For more information about the talented Tudor
family, please visit 
A
great volunteer opportunity for all ages! Come for all or part of the day
to help keep one of Concord's most famous places looking great on the outside.
Typical seasonal tasks include raking leaves, collecting downed branches,
and weeding. If Mother Nature co-operates, we may do some planting as well.
Your own gloves, gardening tools, and/or tarps are very helpful to bring!
