The Emerson Barn Decorated for the Holidays

As part of the 2021 Concord Museum Holiday House Tour, the Emerson barn was decorated to reflect a nineteenth century dining space for the holidays. These photos were taken in the barn. A lovely setting for a holiday dinner.

History and Restoration

 When Ralph Waldo Emerson purchased his property in 1835, included was the barn, constructed between 1827 and 1828 along with the home. The barn is an example of an English barn, listed in the real estate ad as “convenient for two horses and a cow with room for storage of hay.” The Ralph Waldo Emerson Memorial Association committed to the restoration of the barn, which is now almost complete. How the Emerson’s used the barn is fascinating.

Emerson concentrated his early efforts on expanding and improving the house itself. The family did not have livestock at that point. However, starting in 1838 he purchased additional acreage around the original property (including the land where the Concord Museum now sits), making enough land for a small farm.

By 1846 the barn was being used as a school with governess Miss Sophia Foord serving as teacher. School attendees included Ellen and Waldo Emerson, Lizzie and May Alcott among others. With changes to the barn Sophia Foord had accommodations, as well as a Mrs. Clarke and her son.

With a major enlargement to the barn in 1851, Emerson added a cow and horse, expanded later with two horses and two or three cows. One of the horses was a beloved Morgan mare named Dolly, often referred to in Ellen Emerson’s letters.

After Emerson passed away in 1882, the barn was again extended and updated in 1890, with the architect being Edmund March Wheelwright, who was Boston’s official City Architect.

The current restoration is designed to preserve the barn for future generations. When the Ralph Waldo Emerson house is able to reopen, tours will include the historic barn.

The restoration was completed in August 2020.