This site is in the cute little town of Concord, and the site itself has a beautiful visitor center…read more(former Buttrick family residence) which contains a small informational exhibit. What's really nice is the outdoors. There's a garden space where you have a good lookout of the North Bridge, a significant location where the Minute Man faced the British Army. The path to the bridge is not too far of a walk, and you can see a beautiful memorial quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem "the shot heard round the world." I also liked the plaque honoring the graves of the British soldiers since a lot of lives were lost on both sides for American Independence. The bridge is a great scenic walk and great to do for both history and nature lovers.

Apart from being an important part of American History, this park is GORGEOUS! The North Bridge…read moreoverlooks a steady stream with trees along the banks. Plaques and monuments are erected over the places where one of the first battles of the American revolution was held. Plenty of space for walking as well

I've always looked forward to their delicious chicken pie. Well, it's no longer the traditional pie…read morewith a flaky crust--it's more like a shepherd's pie with mashed potato and crumbs. I found that to be extremely disappointing. Why ruin a good thing?

Turkey dinner was very disappointing. The turkey was not carved from a turkey but had to be from a…read moreturkey loaf that had been injected with gel. it was not what I expected. The mashed potatoes, green beans, and gravy very good. Also, the deep dish apple pie was delicious.

This farm house was formerly located elsewhere. It once belonged to an African American family in…read morethe 1800's. At that time slavery had been abolished for quite some time in Massachusetts, so they would have been considered "free blacks" until 1865 when all slaves were formally emancipated in the USA. I didn't get to see the inside of this house but walked around the outside. I estimate that this house is roughly 16' x 32'. It looks like there is a tiny second floor area. From the front it looks probably much like it did when it was first built. The back has a wheelchair ramp, a piece of metal contemporary art and an air conditioning unit in one window. There is a large bell, some seating, and an informative sign out front. It is not owned by the National Parks but is right next to the parking lot for the North Bridge. It would be easy to visit the bridge and the Old Manse (owned by the trustees) at the same time. While this house is not grand, like the Old Manse, it is important to acknowledge how all Americans have lived, whether their ancestors were born on American soil, chose to start a new life here, or were forced to.

The Robbins House Docent dressed in period costume was excellent, storytelling on the lawn in front…read moreof the 1823 Farmhouse* to a rapt audience on a lovely Summer afternoon. She cited such little-known facts as:: In 1641, Massachusetts was the 1st American Colony to legalize Slavery, as well as the 1st State to ban Slavery in 1783. John Hancock was a Slave Owner. Hmmmm . . . Some were led to believe that Slavery was strictly a Southern thing . . . Granted, The South was slow to enforce Abolition . . . *Restored & relocated to this site in 2011.

Such a wonderful, peaceful spot. It's incredible how you go from driving in a cute residential…read moreneighborhood, to taking a turn onto a quiet street that brings you to a parking lot to this wildlife refuge. Incredible. You pay $2 to park and then can walk around and soak it all in. I love how there's benches to sit and relax, and a handful of people had big cameras with large lenses to take cool pics while they bird watch. There's plenty of side trails you can venture out on too. The big loop we did ended up being 1.8 miles or so, and there's even a nice bike path right there too. Here, it's the perfect balance between it being not too busy at all, and not being completely empty too.

The walk was crisp and clear. I think it was too crisp for my younger son. I thought the starkness…read morewas beautiful. I need to come back with binoculars

For my birthday last year, I gifted myself a day's retreat in the house/room where Thoreau was…read moreborn. My entire trip to the Concord area was a transcendental pilgrimage in its own right, and my day alone in the home of seclusion's champion was more than meaningful. I read all the exhibit panels, wrote at the little desk by the window, picnicked on the lovely grounds for lunch, and read Emerson's "Read, then Write." I might have even slept a little in the peaceful, bird-sung quiet. It was a gift to have the entire day in this place, to see the shift of sunlight across the eaves, to contemplate the coming year. The staff made it so easy - they worked with me to shift days - and they made me feel absolutely welcome. It was quite humbling to have a key of my very own for the day! I came away with good written words, good philosophy, and a belief in the actuality of personal connection with literary heroes. Thank you for allowing it to happen!

I am so grateful for the writing space at the Writer's Retreat provided by the Thoreau Farm:…read moreBirthplace of Henry David Thoreau. It is a privilege to spend time in the very room that this American author was born. As the author and illustrator of eight children's books on Thoreau, I can attest that the Writer's Retreat has provided me the impetus for creating them during the numerous times I attended the Writer's Retreat. One might say that they were conceived in that room where many of my words and illustrations began. The Writer's Retreat provides a quiet space where one might write, read, and be reflective. It is beneficial to the amateur or professional writer or to anyone who just needs a space to think and read. The Farm is in a rural setting where one may take a meditative walk and is a special treasure. Imagine writing or reading on a replica of Henry's own green desk where he wrote his works. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to have a place to rest and think without any distractions in the room where Henry was born. Rebecca Migdal, Executive Director of the Thoreau Farm: Birthplace of Henry David Thoreau, is warm and welcoming to anyone who visits the Thoreau Farm or uses the Writer's Retreat. During the time I spent at this special place, Rebecca made me feel very comfortable. Rebecca's cheerful demeaner makes any visitor feel special and at ease. I highly encourage anyone who needs a space for quiet reflection or pursue literary endeavors to spend a day or two at the Writer's Retreat.

A MUST DO! A FREE EVENT & FREE PARKING! It's Time to jump into The TimeMobile & scour the Earth &…read moretake you to places from a different time that you won't believe still exist. We have set the dial to the year 1791 in the town of Harvard MA. located less than an hour's drive from Boston. We've arrived at the Harvard Shaker Cemetery nicknamed The Lollipop Graves. The graves look like rows & rows of Giant Lollipops. There's not too many cemeteries that you can go to & say " Hey this is pretty cool looking!" This is one of the Secret Hidden Gems of America that most people have never heard of or been to before. This is the final resting place of least 331 Shakers who were buried here between the 1790's & the early 1900's. They used to have individual stone markers. In 1879 the Harvard Shakers replaced them with cast iron markers that were round on the top with a stick in the center like a Giant Lollipop. This is the only cemetery where the Lollipop iron markers still remain. In 1945 the Shakers handed over the deed to the cemetery to the town of Harvard. They currently provide all of the upkeep to the property. The stone marker that reads "Harvard Shakers" was later added by the town of Harvard. Because of their look The Harvard Shaker. Cemetery was later nicknamed The Lollipop Graves. There's a very interesting fact about this cemetery. The Lollipop Graves were here some 29 years before The Modern Day Lollipop was even invented. What? Yup! There was boiled sugar on a stick that dates back to the Middle Ages. But the modern day Lollipop with hard candy & a stick in the center was invented by George Smith of New Haven, Connecticut. In 1908 Mr Smith made large hard candies that were anchored on sticks. George named them after a race horse of the time called Lolly Pop. In 1931 George trademarked the lollipop name. But where did George get the original inspiration for the shape to make his legendary candy. It could be just a coincidence but on the other hand there is Anecdotal evidence that may suggest something different. Connecticut is the next state over to Massachusetts. New Haven is only a mere 128 miles away from Harvard MA. In 29 years anyone could have visited or heard about or drew a picture of these unusual looking graves. Mr. Smith could have got wind through the grapevine or even subconsciously hearing something about them. The graves could have been the inspiration for the Modern Day Lollipop. No matter if it was just a coincidence or was the inspiration for the candy the fact remains The Lollipop Graves were here 29 years before The Lollipop was even invented. Amazing & True! To make it worth your trip go visit the Beautiful Cryptic Remains of The Bancroft Castle which is about 15 minutes away in Groton MA. You can read my review of that as well. Happy Trails! It used to be, you had to have Mega Bucks & be really Rich to have the Good Life, not anymore. The Game has changed. You've been Upgraded. Now You Can Live Like a King on a Limited Budget!

We had an amazing time visiting this school house. The scenery was beautiful and the area was…read morewell-kept. The surrounding area was serene and beautiful. I can't wait to come back and enjoy the view.

AN ABSOLUTELY MUST DO! A FREE EVENT & FREE PARKING! THIS IS THE MOST FAMOUS SCHOOL IN THE WORLD…read moreTHAT YOU NEVER KNEW REALLY EXISTED. Every kid from 1-101 has learned the Mary had a Little Lamb nursery rhyme. It goes Mary had a Little Lamb it's Fleece was white as Snow & Everywhere that Mary went the lamb was sure to go. It followed her to school one day etc. Well, this is the School in that famous classic story that Mary attended. This is part of the Secret Hidden Gems of America that most people have never heard of or been to before. The tiny red schoolhouse is called The Redstone School & was built in 1798. Mary Elizabeth Sawyer was the Mary in the story born in 1806. Rebecca Kimball was the School Teacher. John Roulstone wrote the first 12 lines of the Classic. Sarah Josepha Hale completed the work. The building originally stood in Sterling Massachusetts. It was moved by Automobile Kingpin Henry Ford in 1927. When you talk about Old School this is the Original Old School! There are Plaques on the rocks outside that give you more information about the nursery rhyme. The Schoolhouse itself is open weekends only from May- October on Friday Saturday & Sunday from 12- 4:45 PM & is FREE! Unfortunately when we went it was closed but you can still look through the windows & check out the inside. Well I'll have to catch the inside the next time around. Go next door & visit the Martha Mary Chapel an all white picturesque church that appeared in the Matthew McConaughey film with Jennifer Garner & Emma Stone "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past". Also visit across the street there's the Grist Mill ( a great place to picnic), The Waterfall, The Pond, The Glacier Rocks from an Ice Cap 18,000 years ago. Also check out The Old Barn Farm Stand where they sell plants, local honey & other products & The Inn itself has lodging, a restaurant & a bar. What a Great Spot! It used to be, you had to have Mega Bucks & be really rich to have the Good Life, not anymore. The Game has changed. You've been Upgraded. Now You Can Live Like a King on a Limited Budget!

Covered Bridge Lane is a new subdivision in the Town of Wayland. The developers cutesy idea, to…read morehelp sell his development of over priced over sized cookie cutter houses on postage stamp lots, was to build a covered bridge over the stream which would help promote the "semi rural" feel of the town. Knowing that "semi rural" was the buzz word that would make town officials swoon. The developers then put up "private way" signs, discouraging riff raff like me from driving over this bridge and taking photos. I'm guessing my tax dollars pay for plowing and other road maintenance. As far as covered bridges go, this one is 100% new and modern. But was tastefully done so it kinda looks like it has been around forever. I'm trying to remember when it was built. My guess is it's around 5 years old. So 2012.