Tour of Louisa May Alcott’s home with The Enchanted Book Club

Oh friends, my heart is so full. I’m writing to you from a little cottage in Concord after having spent the day alongside kindred spirits. This literary tour has been nearly a year in the making and it’s hard to believe that it’s finally arrived. Every decision I made for this tour was rooted in my hope to create an experience that would touch people’s hearts. It already seems as though my dreams for this trip are coming to fruition and I’m so grateful! Without further ado, here is the story of The Enchanted Book Club’s first day in Concord, Massachusetts together, celebrating the writers that have changed our lives.

Most of us arrived to town yesterday and met for the first time at our welcome dinner. It was absolutely delightful. We enjoyed lovely conversation and laughter while realizing all the things that make us kindred spirits (the Little Women 1994 movie soundtrack was playing during dinner too!). After dinner, we went to bed, excited for what the next day would bring.

This morning we arrived at Orchard House around 10am to begin our tour. We were greeted by Executive Director of Orchard House, Jan Turnquist. Jan has been Executive Director for 25 years and served as the historical consultant for the 2018 Little Women miniseries (which you should absolutely watch if you haven’t – it’s one of the best ones!). Jan absolutely gets The Enchanted Book Club and was so thrilled to host us. She explained that she loves the name of our book club because people so often feel enchanted when they visit Orchard House, walking in the footsteps of beloved little women, Louisa May Alcott and her sisters.

Now I must take a moment to admit that because I flew into Boston the day before our tour began, I just couldn’t help but stroll down to Orchard House on my own the day prior. I visited just long enough to recreate a special moment…

Twenty-six years ago, 5-year-old me sat on the porch steps of Orchard House with a copy of Little Women. I was thrilled to be back again, this time with a profound love and understanding of the story and its author.

Because there are 50 (!) Enchanted Book Club members on this trip, we split into smaller groups for an intimate tour experience. Our tour began in the gift shop filled with irresistible editions of Louisa May Alcott’s novels, Orchard House tea, tote bags, postcards, and so much more. We browsed the shelves while waiting for our guide to bring us into Marmee’s kitchen.

I will be posting a detailed tour of Orchard House next week that includes all of the highlights from May Alcott’s artwork to Louisa’s bedroom. In the meantime, I will just say that I couldn’t help but cry when I walked into Louisa’s room. The entire house is beautiful and well-preserved but there is something about walking into her room that houses her writing desk and monogrammed travel bag that struck a different chord.

Of course we logically know that the woman who wrote Little Women was real but she had never felt more real to me until I peered out the window at the view she saw while penning one of the most cherished novels of all time. It was in that room, in that house, her creativity was fostered, her stories were written, and so much of her fight for women to have the right to use their voices took place. I took one look across the room and my teary eyes met another pair of teary eyes. I’ll never forget it.

After our tour of the interior, Jan met with our entire group outside and told us even more stories. There we were, 50 kindred spirits celebrating a woman whose words have inspired us. It truly was enchanting. Next, we were on to Walden Pond where we’d soak in the beauty of the day during a picnic by the water.

That’s us there sitting on the steps having a picnic! If I had been able to choose the weather on this day, this would have been it exactly. The sun made Walden sparkle, there was a crisp breeze, and not a cloud in the sky. Prior to our picnic, we met with “Henry David Thoreau” in front of the replica of the real Henry David Thoreau’s cabin. We asked him questions about living in the woods, his writings, and his relationships with other local writers, Bronson Alcott and Ralph Waldo Emerson. The remainder of our afternoon at Walden Pond was reserved for leisure. Some of us walked to the original site of Thoreau’s cabin while others read by the pond. Before we departed, I made a special announcement: I had reserved the auditorium at the Concord Public Library for a private viewing of the only existing original Little Women manuscripts! Then off we went to one of the most memorable parts of our day…

In January 2024, The Enchanted Book Club hosted a Zoom event with Liz Rosenberg, a fantastic biographer who wrote Scribbles, Sorrows, and Russet Leather Boots: The Life of Louisa May Alcott (please do watch the recording of that webinar when you have the chance – I can’t say enough wonderful things about Liz!). During our conversation, she mentioned that you can see the original Little Women manuscripts at the Concord Public Library and I knew right away that The Enchanted Book Club must go see them! I left it as a surprise for our guests which I was hoping would make it all the more exciting.

I’m not sure what I was expecting but this viewing exceeded what I had imagined. The Concord Public Library’s curator, Anke Voss, gave us an informative talk then proceeded to show us the manuscripts. One manuscript in particular warranted gasps amongst us. Have you ever wished Jo and Laurie ended up together? Now is your chance to relish in the possibility. Louisa May Alcott’s original scene in which Laurie professes his love to Jo reads, “HERE HE [LAURIE] CAUGHT HER [JO] IN HIS ARMS AND KISSED HER VIOLENTLY.” This crossed out line was replaced with the version that was published, “TURNED AWAY.”

There it is, clear as day! Now, if you are a fan of Little Women, you likely already understand Louisa’s reasoning for intentionally not writing a romantic ending for Jo and Laurie. She was quite adamant that she did not want this ending for Jo’s character. As much as research supports that Louisa never wanted this for her characters, this manuscript seems to serve as evidence that she at least considered the possibility long enough to write it down. It was a true pinch-me moment to see that these words had ever been written, let alone to read the words in Louisa’s own handwriting.

What an unforgettable day! I’m off to bed as we embark upon more literary adventures this week. Thank you so much for following along. It is a dream come true to share this experience with you ❤️

P.S. If you haven’t joined The Enchanted Book Club yet, we would love to have you! Join us at: enchantedbookclub.com.