FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nancy Grohol, Executive Director
Thoreau Farm Trust
978.369.3091
978.369.1515 (fax)
nancy at thoreaufarm.org

January 5, 2006

Concord, MA—The Thoreau Farm Trust (TFT) is closing in on its goal to own, restore, and re-use Henry David Thoreau’s birthplace on Virginia Road in Concord, which was purchased by the Town of Concord in 1997, along with approximately 20 acres of surrounding farmland.

The public campaign to rehabilitate the deteriorating farmhouse was launched in October, with former US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky as honorary chair. Since then, the TFT has received two key grants, one from the Behrakis Foundation and a second from the Sudbury Foundation. In addition, Concord’s Community Preservation Committee recommended in December that Town Meeting approve the TFT’s request for a $200,000 Community Preservation Act grant.

If that grant is approved in the spring, the TFT expects to meet the town’s deadline for raising $800,000 by July 1, 2007. When that initial goal is met, the town will transfer title and two acres of land to the TFT. Work on the house will begin as soon as possible once title has been passed, while the TFT continues to raise the remainder of the $1 million cost of the total rehabilitation project.

Major gifts from the Neil and Anna Rasmussen Foundation, the estate of the late John Mack, and a charter member of TFT’s Board of Directors have helped enormously in propelling the project forward. Other major contributors have been the National Trust for Historic Preservation, as well as the Greater Lowell Community Foundation and the Crawford Idema Family Foundation for capacity-building and organizational support. Many additional gifts have come from interested individuals in Concord and beyond. The Concord Chamber of Commerce has provided in-kind support for the project by lending office space to the Trust in recognition of the important role Concord’s history plays in the commercial life of the town.

The TFT plans to use the historic farmhouse, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as an educational center and community resource. Historic architect Larry Sorli of Carlisle and historic materials conservator Bill Finch of Beverly have conducted a thorough analysis of the house and produced a Historic Structure Report and Master Plan to guide the restoration/rehabilitation process.

“It’s exciting to have so much support for this project, and we’re especially grateful to the great Robert Pinsky for his willingness to join us in the effort,” said Lucille Daniel Stott, president of the TFT’s Board of Directors. “Whenever people visit the farmhouse for an event or a tour, they seem to take to it right away. It’s a very special place, even in its current, dilapidated state. Simple and low-key, it will be a perfect setting to showcase Thoreau’s influence on environmentalism, social justice, and literature and to celebrate his lifelong love of Concord.”

The Thoreau Farm Trust will continue to host events at the house, but private tours are also available. To arrange a visit, please contact Nancy Grohol at 978.369.3091 or nancy@thoreaufarm.org

The Thoreau Farm Trust (www.thoreaufarm.org) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and rehabilitating the Henry David Thoreau birthplace, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and using the site as an education and community center. If you are interested in touring the house, learning more about the organization, or how you can help, please contact Nancy Grohol at 978.369.3091 or nancy at thoreaufarm.org.