There is something about this small town that continues to draw magnetic personalities who shape our country over and over. One such luminary is Doris Kearns Goodwin – Pulitzer Prize-winning author, respected presidential historian, and wife of the internationally acclaimed presidential speechwriter, the late Richard (Dick) Goodwin. Together, this inspirational couple witnessed the turbulent events of the 1960s and worked hard to do their part in shaping a more positive outcome for future generations.

At the 2022 Thoreau Gathering, Concord was honored with a visit from the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall. She was awarded the Thoreau Prize for Literary Excellence in Nature Writing in recognition of her lifetime dedication to the study, understanding, and protection of non-human animals, nature, and our planet. Discover Concord spoke with her about her work, her thoughts on climate change, and her surprising message of hope for the future.

Professor J. Drew Lanham, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology, Master Teacher, and Certified Wildlife Biologist at Clemson University, is a renowned ornithologist, an accomplished author, poet, and scientist. He is also the keynote speaker at this year’s Thoreau Society Gathering in Concord. It’s not a surprising link. Henry David Thoreau was a careful observer of nature, as well as an eloquent writer and a social justice warrior. All these traits drew the attention of Prof. Lanham, as we discussed in a recent interview.