An easy to walk through museum. Self guided walks with museum people well placed to answer any questions. There is an ever changing exhibit on the top floor.
This museum certainly provides the historical context to understand and enjoy Concord. The displays were well done, especially the room displays.
For a small fee you get a short look at the history of Concord, especially their part in the American Revolution and their local authors. The staff is very friendly. There is an elevator for those who have trouble with stairs.
Another place where we got in with the Boston Go Card. Saw a short film (not really all that informative). But lots of items from the American revolution and later (all the writers who were from Concord, MA). It was interesting to see one of the lanterns used as part of the "one if by land, two if by sea". A very quick self guided trip through the museum in about an hour. Warning, this place is at a very awkward corner in Concord. We were leaving at about 5 pm and had a tough time getting across the street to visit the rest of Concord.
If you're bringing folks to Concord with little knowledge of the area and its historical importance, this is the perfect introduction. And check their website to see if your trip coincides with one of their "Free Fridays"!We greatly appreciated how accommodating the staff and docents were that we had a toddler along, and with little tables set up to keep kids entertained throughout, it's a great family museum for all ages.The information was wonderfully broad and thorough (I, for one, appreciated the additional background on the town of Concord, as well; kind of surprised some were disappointed about this, considering it is the Concord Museum...). If you're into the transcendentalists, they've got plenty (Thoreau's last pen!). If you prefer the Revolution, we were in awe over the "one if by land, two if by sea" lantern (yes, it was original) and the original Revere rip-off print of the Boston Massacre. The only place that we didn't feel warmly welcomed was the gift shop (and our 2-year-old was quiet and not touching everything as he normally might). Not enough to tarnish the experience (loved their selection), but worth noting.
Allow some time for this museum. It gives the historical background of the area, and also upstairs they have more recent additions including quilts and childrens artwork which were an interesting addition. Parking can be tricky. This is also right across the street from the Emerson Museum, which has limited hours. The three for one museum ticket with this venue, the Orchard house, and Emerson Museum is recommended. Very near downtown Concord!
The Concord Museum is a jewel box of a museum with a collection of local artifacts that can't be beat! The museum is easy to visit and contains mostly items of local interest, of revolutionary war things, of its authors, the women's movement, and of the industrial revolution. The museum and its artifacts are in exceptional condition. Kudos to its curatorial staff.Among the museum's holdings is one of the two lanterns used to signal patriots from the Old North Church on the night of Paul Revere's historic ride. There is also the study of Ralph Waldo Emerson and the bed and furnishings from Thoreau's cottage at Walden Pond. The period rooms are stunning and the museum is well worth a visit. And, for those who love gift shops, the museum gift shop is well-stocked with an interesting mix of gift items and research books. Enjoy.
This is where Henry D. Thoreau's original deck and bed are and a little history of the town and the literary greats that lived here. Even though this museum is awesome. Around the holidays they seem to dress it up with Christmas trees decorated by children. I was little disappointed that they put one in the Thoreau installation. That's sacred ground people! :)
I had been in Concord a few months ago and had skipped this museum. This trip I visited the museum and I very pleased I stopped. The staff is super friendly (not in an annoying way!) We saw how a casket was made, an exhibit on children's literature and artifacts on sleep (beds, chamber pots etc) during the early years of America. Well worth the price and time!
Nice balance of Revolutionary War and Emerson/Thoreau history. This is a good starting point for setting out to the other area attractions, because it gives a high level overview of the history of the area, starting with native Americans and up to present century.