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In 1843, Amos Bronson Alcott and Charles Lane turned a swath of Harvard farmland into a Transcendentalist experiment in subsistence farming and Emersonian self-reliance, named Fruitlands, which ultimately disbanded after only seven months. Louisa May Alcott was 10 years old when her family moved to Fruitlands. As an adult, Louisa May Alcott wrote the book titled “Transcendental Wild Oats” looking back at her family’s time at Fruitlands.
In 1914, Clara Endicott Sears opened the grounds to the public, establishing a museum in the property’s 1820s farmhouse. Now, the 210-acre landscape encompasses five collections first established by Sears: the original Fruitlands Farmhouse; the Shaker Museum, the first such museum in the country; the Native American Museum, celebrating the history of indigenous peoples; the Wayside Visitor Center, a classroom, education, and exhibition space; and the Art Museum. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Fruitlands Farmhouse, the Shaker Shop, The Seasonal Gallery and the Four Seasons Gallery featuring the exhibit Across Boundaries Across Barriers. Lunch is included at the Fruitlands Café.
Following Fruitlands, we’ll stop at Carlsons Apple Orchard where the Carlson family has produced high quality apples and apple products for over 80 years. We’ll have time to shop and explore their seasonal local specialties of apples, ciders, jams, jellies, honey and savories.
Guide: Jeanne Fontaine
Thursday, October 17
Depart: 7:45 am; return: 5 pm
Includes admissions and special exhibit, lunch, bus travel and driver tip
