This is Orchard house, the home of Louisa May Alcott and her family in Concord, Massachusetts. I loved visiting this place where the author of "Little Women" lived and wrote.
The walls and woodwork are covered with the paintings and drawings of May Alcott, Louisa's sister (Amy in the book). She pencilled small drawings of angels and fairies all around the windows in Louisa's room, and Louisa used her earnings from "Little Women" to send her talented sister to Europe to study art.
I visited here in May with my mother and sister, and I was touched to see many mothers exploring the house with their school-aged daughters. My favorite things about the house can not be seen in these pictures: The tiny, fold-down writing desk Louisa's father, Bronson Alcott, fashioned for her between the windows in her room, to take advantage the light, The trunk of clothes the sisters used in their dramatic performances, and the dolls they played with as children.
Photography was not permitted inside the building, but I did get these quick shots of the outside.It is now Monday in Australia, where heyharriet hosts Shadow Shot Sunday. There is still time to play!
11 comments:
What a lovely little house... very nice shadows. I wish I could visit there with my, now grown, daughter. I think she would still enjoy it!
Fabulous photos of the house. I love the story about the built-in desk to capture the best light. What a thoughtful, kind father. Blessings!
Visited there more than once when we lived in New England. For some reason, the big hank of May's hair under glass has stayed with me.
Have you read Susan Cheever's "American Bloomsbury"? You would like it.
Wonderful pics.
Thank you for sharing this lovely house. It is very inviting!
I've read and re-read that story. And, you know, every woman should go back and read that book from their adult perspective because it is heartbreaking and brave and all the things good women should be. Thanks for sharing these. The house looks like I would have thought and hoped.
srp- I'm sure she would!
Marion, thanks, I thought that was a very kind thing for her father to do.
Art Sparker- I didn't see that! I
wonder if I missed it or it just isn't there anymore.
Willow, I haven't read "American Bloomsbury." I'll have to check it out, thanks!
Lizzy, I also love the pictures I've seen of it covered in snow with the windows lit up.
Holly, I agree! I hope to read it aloud to my grandaughter in a couple of years.
How placid and lovely these are.. was there ages ago..thanks for reminding me!
I am dying to take my daughter there. I read "Little Women" many times growing up, and my daughter and I watched the movie countless ones. Now with all this coverage of yours...we definitely have to go!
Thanks so much for posting this. I never realized that the author's life was so connected by circumstances in the book!
Lyn- The place does have a nice feeling to it.
Isabel-It is really worth the trip!
Janelle, Yes, the book was based on her own family- there were differences though.
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