Discover Concord

Discover what's happening around town this spring!

HENRY DAVID THOREAU, a new, three-part, three-hour film examines the life and work of Concord’s 19th-century writer in the context of antebellum New England and the larger United States, as well as through the universal themes he focused on in his writings: an individual’s relationship to the state, how to live an authentic life, our connection to nature, and the impact of race on American life. Ultimately, HENRY DAVID THOREAU presents a portrait of a man both rooted in his time and speaking far beyond it. By placing his life and writings within the great moral struggles of the 19th century, the film underscores why Thoreau endures as a guide to the tensions and possibilities of American democracy—offering wisdom and provocation as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. 

This year marks the 85th Annual Gathering of the Thoreau Society—the oldest and largest community devoted to an American author. Founded in 1941 by Walter Harding, the Society began with a simple invitation to a “Thoreau Birthday Mecca”:  meet at Walden Pond, share lunch at Concord’s Colonial Inn, and talk about forming a group devoted to Henry David Thoreau. 

The events of April 19, 1775, when militia and British Regulars first clashed at Lexington and Concord, ignited the struggle that became the American Revolution. Each year, Concord and the surrounding communities honor that pivotal moment with ceremonies, living history, and commemorative programs that bring the story to life. From lantern-lit reflections and dawn salutes to immersive battle walks and historic house tours, we invite you to step into the places where the fight for liberty began and to remember the courage of those who stood their ground.

Between January and May 1776, Massachusetts occupied a critical juncture between rebellion and the emergence of a new nation. The final phase of the Siege of Boston coincided with the rapid dissemination of revolutionary ideology across local towns and communities, compelling residents to confront the extraordinary pressures of war. The experiences of Massachusetts residents during this period demonstrate that the pursuit of independence was shaped as much by hardship and sacrifice on the home front as by military developments on the battlefield.

The Lyceum Movement started in New England in 1826, when educator and scientist Josiah Holbrook founded the first lyceum in Millbury, Massachusetts. Inspired by the classical Lykeios (Λύκειος) in Ancient Greece, where Aristotle taught, the movement was created to bring education to ordinary people through lectures, debates, and readings. Lyceums quickly spread across New England, fostering education, self-improvement, and civic engagement, and many towns soon formed lyceums of their own, including Boston in 1829 and Salem in 1830. By the 1830s, there were Lyceums across the country. 

Concord Center takes justifiable pride in its history, but today great things are happening in West Concord. Innovation and self-reliance are nothing new on the west side of Route 2; they’ve defined the community for centuries. 

On June 5 and 6, the Concord Museum Guild of Volunteers welcomes community members to join the 37th Garden Tour. This beloved annual event invites ticket holders to tour six stunning private gardens throughout the Concord area, drawing inspiration from a variety of plantings, landscape designs, and approaches to outdoor living.  

Visitors to West Concord this spring will have a rare opportunity to step inside the world of fine guitar craftsmanship and musical innovation—years before the doors of the Guitar Museum of New England officially open.

The museum will host Hidden Gems, a special pop-up exhibition and event series in the months of April, May, and June at 129 Commonwealth Avenue in the heart of the West Concord Cultural District. The intimate display offers a preview of the remarkable instruments that will anchor the museum’s future permanent collection just down the street.

Then...

By the spring of 1776, the question of independence was on the minds of those living in the thirteen American colonies. The Patriots were winning the hearts and minds of many; however, for various reasons, not every colonist was in favor of breaking ties with Great Britain.  

Now...

The spring and summer of 2026, when the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, is a fitting moment to commit to refamiliarizing ourselves as a nation with the complexities surrounding this historical document and the process through which it was created, as well as the ideals it espouses the American people—and its government—to live up to. The Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area’s award-winning program, Declaring Independence: Then & Now provides the opportunity to do so.

His eyes are bronze, formed in fire; and if you walk from Concord Center two blocks up Monument Street, you will find him staring at you from where he stands high atop a granite base, overlooking the North Bridge battle site and the straight gravel path from the bridge to the road. He is the Minute Man statue created by Concord sculptor Daniel Chester French, and was witness to part of the story you’re about to read. 

This year, the Trinitarian Congregational Church (TriCon) on Walden Street is celebrating its 200th anniversary. However, from the early days of Concord’s founding in 1635, there was only one meeting house, and that was First Church in the center of town. In 1778, Reverend Ezra Ripley assumed the pastorate, a position he would hold for 63 years. By 1825, First Parish, like many Congregational churches in Massachusetts, had changed, adopting a Unitarian theology. But not all parishioners were happy with “Dr. Ripley’s church” or his unorthodox preaching. In March 1826, nine dissenters, joined by seven townspeople, left First Parish to form their own “religious conference.”

The William Munroe Special Collections at the Concord Free Public Library has recently expanded one of the nation’s most significant archives devoted to Louisa May Alcott and her remarkable family. With the acquisition of several newly discovered letters by Alcott and two important collections assembled over decades, the Library has added new layers of insight into the life, work, and legacy of the author of Little Women.

Discover what's happening in Concord's vibrant arts community this spring.

The Concord Chorus traces its origin to a summer 1945 performance of selections from Johannes Brahms’ German Requiem by the combined choirs of Concord’s churches at the invitation of Perry Daniels, the minister of First Parish Unitarian Church. The performance engendered so much enthusiasm that Nancy Loring (the conductor for this occasion), Katherine K. Davis (composer of The Little Drummer Boy and the first Chair of the Chorus), and Mrs. D. Ripley Gage of Concord formed a committee to organize the Concord Chorus.

The Peabody Building is part of Concord’s mid-century modern architectural legacy. Designed in 1968 by The Architects Collaborative (TAC) as an elementary school, it was opened in 1970 and served (along with the Sanborn building) for 55 years as the Concord Middle School. This building is the physical manifestation of the mid-century architects’ aspirations for the elevation of our society, starting with children and the design of their environment.

In this series, we highlight some of the many artists who contribute to the deep creative culture of Concord. Across town, many organizations are dedicated to uplifting the visual arts and artists through exhibitions, educational programs, performances, and workspace.

For its 2025/26 Artist-in-Residence program, The Umbrella Arts Center expanded the cohort to include artists across all its programs, including Performing Arts and Education. In this feature, we focus on the three artists who create Ceramic and Visual Arts. 

In colonial America, taverns were commonplace throughout Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. But these early American taprooms were much more than just watering holes. They served an important purpose in the community as a place for townsfolk to gather and plan. This proved especially important in the years leading up to the Revolution. Taverns became Patriot refuges, where decisions were made about separation from the Crown and what a more democratic form of government would look like. As British-colonial relations finally boiled over, taverns became meeting spots for Patriot militias to assemble and prepare for battle. 

During the colonial period, taverns served as important community centers, where people could learn current events, hear from travelers, and discuss politics and the latest gossip. The Wright Tavern, built by Captain Ephraim Jones in 1747, was ideally located between the Meeting House (now the First Parish in Concord) and the training grounds for the militia.

Test your knowledge of Concord with our Trivia Quiz!

As spring approaches, we, along with much of the wildlife, look forward to its changes: fresh green leaves, blooming flowers, fruit tree blossoms, and more. The landscape takes on a warmer glow, and Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge is no exception.