As Massachusetts continues to see COVID cases fall and vaccination rates increase, some of Concord’s most popular destinations are reopening. To help you plan your visit, we have put together our best understanding of what is open as of the time we went to press in late June. Things evolve daily, so please check websites and/or social media outlets for the latest information before heading to your destination.
Concord Free Public Library – OPEN on weekdays - key historical documents can be found in the special collections area, and rare art is on display by Ralph Waldo Emerson, N.C. Wyeth, and Daniel Chester French, among others. ConcordLibrary.org
Concord Museum – OPEN Thursday to Sunday – An irreplaceable cornerstone of the Concord experience, the Concord Museum speaks to the deepest historical, literary, and cultural roots of our American identity. Exhibits, events, and virtual program information available at ConcordMuseum.org
Concord Visitor Center – OPEN seven days a week in summer 10am to 5pm. Lots of information and helpful guides available. You can also book a walking tour here. VisitConcord.org
Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House CLOSED, with plans to reopen by August 1st. Access to the gardens and grounds remains free and available to all. Updates on status, as well as a delightful virtual visit are available at LouisaMayAlcott.org
The Old Manse – CLOSED. Access to the grounds remains free. TheTrustees.org/place/the-old-manse/
Ralph Waldo Emerson House CLOSED (museum and grounds). RalphWaldoEmersonHouse.org
The Robbins House
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The Robbins House – OPEN 11am to 4pm (closed on Tuesdays), with a limit of six visitors inside at one time. Concord’s African American History Museum is one of the only known historic sites commemorating the legacy of a previously enslaved Revolutionary War veteran. Information on the families who lived here, as well as interactive content and a self-guided walking tour map are available at RobbinsHouse.org
The Wayside – CLOSED. Information on the authors who lived here can be found at NPS.gov/mima/learn/historyculture/thewayside.htm
A note as you plan your visit:
We are all so happy to see visitors (and locals!) returning to our museums, shops, inns, and restaurants. We have missed you so much! We just ask for a bit of patience – the whole country opened up at once, and many of our local establishments are having trouble finding enough employees to handle the sudden influx of (much appreciated) business.
Parents are still figuring out summer camps and schools are out – so childcare is barrier for some workers. Normally, we might have some seasonal help from students seeking a summer in New England – but international travel is still heavily restricted. Additionally, our vendors and key infrastructure are all also operating on reduced staff. That means that deliveries may be delayed, products might not always be available, and service may be slower than we would like it to be.
Patience and understanding will go a long way. We know things will make their way back to normal – just know that we are all SO happy to see you, and we are eager to make you feel welcome.