Planning Your Visit
"The Wayside, as long as it is unchanged, has much
to tell those who, with the ears and the eyes of imagination,
can hear the murmurs of the pines and spruces on the terraces,
the sound of children at play, and the gentle voices of its honored
authors."
Margaret Lothrop,
The Wayside: Home of Authors
The Wayside today, restored to its c.1915-1920 appearance, reflects not only the last years of Harriett Lothrop's life, but also her devotion to preserving the home and the spirit of those who preceded her.
[Click for a sampling of The Wayside Tour]
Situated on the Battle Road in Concord, less than 20 miles from Boston, The Wayside - home of authors Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May and Bronson Alcott, and Margaret Sidney - was the first literary site to become part of the National Park Service system.
Location:
455
Lexington Road
Concord, MA
Telephone: 978-369-6975
Operating Hours & Seasons: May through October. Call Minute Man NHP for days and hours of operation.
Facilities and Opportunities
The Wayside Visitor Center: [Free exhibit "The House, Its Authors and the Creation of an American Literary Heritage."] Tour tickets and general information.
Programs/Activities: Guided tours of the house; limited to 10 people.
Educational and special theme tours: Reservations required; call for information.
Fees, Rates: U.S. Fee Area; group rates for reserved tours.
Other concessions: A small bookstore in the Visitor Center is provided by Eastern National.
Accessibility: Visitor Center only is wheelchair accessible.
Recommended Activities: Guided tour of the house, self-guided tour of grounds; exhibit.
Reservations: Required in advance for all group tours. Call (978) 369-6993 Ext. 29.
Time Considerations: Tours are at scheduled times and are approximately 45 minutes long.
Nearby Visitor Attractions: Minute Man Visitor Center and the Battle Road Trail, North Bridge Visitor Center, Orchard House, Old Manse, Emerson House, Walden Pond, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord Museum, Concord Free Public Library.
Additional Information: Write to [Minute Man National Historical Park], 174 Liberty Street, Concord, MA 01742; or call (978) 369-6975 (in season); (978) 369-6993 Ext. 22 or 29.
Directions: The Wayside is located on Lexington Road, one mile
east of Concord's Monument Square.
From Route 128/95, take Exit 2A West. Traveling
west on 2A, bear right onto Lexington Road at the sign for Concord.
The Wayside is about one and one-half miles on the right. Parking
for The Wayside is across the street, off of Hawthorne Lane.
[Longfellow
NHS]
[Eugene O'Neill NHS]
[Edgar Allan Poe
NHS]
[Carl Sandburg Home NHS]
Additional sites of interest include: