Little Women

I was in Concord recently and I photographed my favorite landmark there, Louisa May Alcott's house, called Orchard House. I was watching the video of NBC's Today Show and they featured a Storybook Vacation talking about some enchanting vacation ideas based on the children's storybook theme. I was pleased that they included Orchard House.




Of course there are always fun things on the calendar at Orchard House. These wonderful events are not only for us big kids, but some enchantment for little children as well.

Not only am I fascinated with the life of Louisa May Alcott, but Little Women holds a dear and special place in my heart. My mother gave me my first copy of Little Women and I still cherish this story.

Last year I had the good fortune of seeing the wedding in period costume of Louisa May's sister.

Oh, I was thrilled they were having a wedding. It was the anniversary of Anna Bronson Alcott's wedding day on May 23, 1860. How exciting they were all dressed in costume and there was even an invitation, wedding cake and punch. I parked my car and was in photo heaven.

Notice the red robin...the littliest guest there. Isn't it fitting that a robin would be a guest at Louisa May Alcott sister's wedding?

The bride wore Aqua, and the wedding was held in the Concord School on the Orchard House property due to inclimate weather. So charming, I think Louisa was smiling down from heaven at the festivities. I overheard the shopkeeper say that some of the people dressed in costume were relatives. Isn't that fun?

The invitation was so lovely on perfectly proper linen stationary the words so lovely:

"I've felt for the first time in my life the joyful consciousness that I am truly loved by a truly good man, one that with all my heart I can love and honor...one who loves me for myself alone, and with an unselfish, patient, gentle affection such as I never thought to waken in an human heart."

Anna Bronson Alcott
On her wedding day
May 23, 1860



Bronson Alcott, Louisa May's father wrote in a book he called Concord Days in 1982 about his home, Orchard House.

"My neighbors flatter me in telling me that I have one of the best placed and most picturesque houses in our town. I know very well the secret of what they praise. "Tis simply adapting the color and repairs to the architecture and holding these in keeping with the spot."

No matter what season, I still find my camera wanting to photograph this place. Concord is one of the most charming towns in New England, and the history and the residents of this chapter and that of the Alcott's always gets my attention.


I believe the fascination for Orchard House goes way beyond Mr. Alcott's reasoning why his home was so praised. It was the love that lived there amongst the women who Louisa May based the characters in her beloved Little Women. To this day, when I walk into the doorway of this home, although a simple and less than pretty place actually...I can feel the love. It's still alive. The little shop holds so many treasures all boasting of Louisa May's glorious gift for writing.

Thankfully, so many little girls are discovering the magic in this book and the many books that Louisa May Alcott wrote. To think of all the lives that she has touched.



The song for this post is Little Women. To this day, when the world's outlook seems dim, I open up this wonderful book and get lost in another time and place. I open the door to Orchard House, a place where Jo still brings a smile to my face.