- Welcome to Orchard House.
I'm Jan Turnquist, the Executive Director here, and this is where Louisa May Alcott wrote and set her book "Little Women" in 1868.
We are standing now in Louisa May Alcott's bed chamber where "Little Women" was written.
This little shelf desk was built for Louisa by her father in an era when it was considered improper for a woman to have a desk of her own.
When Louisa's father built her the desk her mother gave her a pen with a little verse, "May this pen your muse inspire when wrapped in pure poetic fire."
(relaxing music) The Alcotts let it be known to all their friends and acquaintances in Concord that they were at home on Monday evenings.
It was just a very intimate, special time.
- Oh, you're all such a treat to come home to.
And I have a treat for you, too.
- A letter?
- Is it from father?
- Yes it is.
(laughing) - The other large room of the house, that was really where Mr.
Alcott held forth.
It's where Emerson sat and talked with him.
Henry David Thoreau was there a great deal of the time.
People who visit Orchard House often comment that this house sort of has a soul, partially because almost everything you see within the house belonged to the Alcott family so it feels very authentic.
But also because the book was not only written here, but it was set here.
When there's a description in "Little Women," it's these rooms.
People are very touched by the atmosphere, the sort of ambiance that they experience.
And a lot of times they say, "It's like walking through the book."
And other people say, "Well it's as if the Alcotts might walk back in at any moment!"
So it's a very special feeling for people who visit.
(relaxing music)
