orchard house

The tour guide was extremely friendly and informative, and patient with kids answering all their many questions. My daughter and I had been reading Alcott's stories so found the house very interesting. You can't just walk around and need to take a guided tour

Orchard House is the childhood home of Louisa May Alcott who wrote Little Women. The tour guide was very informative and gave much background of her life. They do not allow you to take any pictures which I don't like probably because they want you to buy pictures in their gift shop. I never remember what I saw then. But it is a good tour for Alcott fans and history buffs as well as children. Much of Little Women is based on the lives of her and her four sisters.

We took our 6yo and 3yo today to the Christmas Tour. Plenty of parking one minute walk away if the spots in front of the house are full. The costumed "family members" in each room were fantastic in character and in the stories they told, and they engaged our children very well too. The theme of giving/sharing especially with those less fortunate was also emphasised. The singing of carols and play by the family at the end was great. The "story" that was told using a basket as a prop that each "family member" made a contribution to, gave the tour a great theme and it flowed along well. There is an opportunity also for visitors to contribute a new toy/book for children less fortunate at the end. The gift shop was fantastic and we made some unique purchases. About the only draw back was that there was only one toilet (in the gift shop), but what do you expect in a historic house? Highly recommended especially for those with children 5yo plus (our almost 4yo almost did not last the one hour with her concentration span even with engaging actors etc).

This was the best tour I have ever been on. Marilyn, the most interesting tour conductor and the most patient, was amazing. She knew the house inside and out, and was a delight to have as our guide. 85% of the houses' belongings are the original. You will see artwork from May, Louisa's desk where she wrote little women and even the kitchen where they cooked their meals. It was AMAZING! It took us a little over an hour to get through, just because it was so interesting. If you loved Little Women, or Louisa May Alcott, don't miss this house, you will regret it!

After waiting for many decades, I finally toured Louisa May Alcott's home. From the time I was a "little woman" myself until now (an elderly woman), I have loved the story. Before we left California, I watched the DVD of "Little Women" again so it would all be fresh in my mind (I urge visitors to either do that or to read the book for the optimum experience). The brown clapboard three-story house was built before the Revolutionary War and Louisa wrote her book there in 1868, sitting at the little desk in her bedroom with her loving family busy in other parts of the big house, The fact that the house is 80% authentic with many of the actual family belongings is amazing. In 2014 Yankee Magazine named it the Best Literary Home in New England. The rooms are pretty, warm, and cozy. I learned so much that day about the Alcotts; I hadn't realized what a talented artist May (Amy in the book) was. Her bedroom walls are full of her drawings. It was surreal to stand in the Study, knowing I stood where Emerson, Thoreau, and the Alcotts gathered. The tour guide was excellent amd there's a nice gift shop. Photos aren't allowed inside, but there are some nice postcards of the various rooms, plus lots of books. Parking is free in front of the house, which sits on a country road near the town of Concord.

I missed my sisters here. I visited with a mixed gender student group of twelve teenagers. The museum staff kindly put effort into working our group in, even though we had not previously reserved. 10 is considered a group and will get a discount. Not a good food/restroom break. The guide was knowledgable and interesting. Those students who didn't have Alcott knowledge enjoyed it just as an old house (prior to 1700) with historical furniture and the look into what life was like for the Alcott sisters. Photography is not permitted inside and space is tight. Take a picture outside and leave non-essentials in the car. The students recommend it for kids who enjoy history and would not visit with their "sporty" friends. For me, it was a conveniently located multi-purpose stop for visitors interested in old houses, transcendentalism, education, and/or feminism.

Orchard House has been a favorite for years. It's even better now they have May Alcotts paintings and drawings. Tour guide was great.

Little Women, the movie, the one made in the 1940's, was my introduction to the book, and both have been my favorite for decades. To see the home of the Alcott's with original furnishings including Louisa's writing desk was so special. I loved seeing the drawings done by May on the walls. I could have spent a lot more time there.

A great tour guide is everything! A very authentic museum house. Most of the furnishings actually belonged to the Alcott family. This house and furnishings have not only been well preserved but so have the stories and they are excellently told by a passionate docent. I felt like I got a very complete and interesting biography of Louisa May Alcott in less than two hours.

Arrived to limited parking, but more is available across the street a short distance away. Was allowed to purchase a 3 way ticket which I recommend, including this venue and Concord museum and Emerson House. The Emerson house has limited hours, Thursday through Sunday, however. I was allowed to return another day to see that museum. The guided tour which is mandatory at this Orchard House seemed rushed to me, and we were herded room to room with another tour on our heels. The drawings on the walls, and authentic Alcott artifacts made it seem like we were living in the 1800s. The DVD prior to the tour was helpful. The grounds were very nice. They are currently fundraising for a movie or DVD about the family, and I think it will be great. The gift shop was quaint and had quite a bit of memoribilia. Would highly recommend if in the area.

We took a special Halloween tour of the home. It was silly and fun, well acted out by "May"! I had taken the regular tour in Aug and it was nice to have had both experiences. Even if you aren't a fan of Little Woman the home is full of American history.

Perhaps we had a lousy tour. They herd a bunch of people into each room, so many that you really can't see much of what's actually in there. Then they herd you out. You are not allowed any time to actually look at the many artifacts (supposedly) from the Alcott family. The tour guide was snooty and unpleasant and kept referring to herself as "we" as if she lived in the house. So perhaps she felt we were interlopers. Most of what she yakked on about were Amy's paintings. The tour is very short and when it's over, they chase you out. It wasn't worth the time to get there, nor the money, and I love history.

I wanted to visit the house where "Little Women" was based. It lived up to expectation. It has been well preserved, and was one of the first house museums.I learnt a lot about the Alcott family, and particularly Mr Alcott, not just about Louisa M Alcott so interesting for even the partners who'd been dragged along by readers of the book.A guided tour, with a guide who is happy to answer any questions.

We loved being able to visit all the rooms where the Alcotts lived and see the desk Louisa's father made for her so she could write Little Women. The rooms have 80% of the original furnishings. We started our tour with a short video about the Alcott family and then a guide took us through the house and told us interesting facts and anecdotes about the family. Even the guys with us (who had not read Little Women,) enjoyed the tour!

A visit to Orchard House is very much a step back into time. The house is beautifully preserved much as Louisa May Alcott knew it, and those who know Little Women will enjoy seeing the house that inspired this romantic tale of love and family.Tours are guided and docents are friendly and very knowledgeable. Most of the furnishings and objects in the house are original to the Alcott family. The house is light-filled and charming and would be incredibly easy to live in. It's no wonder that the dwelling served as inspiration for Alcott's American classic novel. One of the back bedrooms still has drawings on walls and woodwork done by Louisa's artist sister - fascinating that they were preserved!The gift shop is really quite good and is stocked with dozens of research books about Louisa May Alcott. Staff is friendly and really eager to assist. Put this site on the top of your list when visiting Concord.