The Project

"I have never got over my surprise that I should have been born in to this most estimable place in all the world."

House Photos

Photo: Concord Free Public Library

Thoreau was born in the upper right chamber in 1817. In this photo, taken shortly after the house was moved in 1878, we have clear evidence of the house's early appearance. The exterior of the house will be restored accordingly. Note the corner quoins, window trim, front door, and 12-over-12 windows.

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."

Below are pictures depicting the house's current state. Unfortunately, it has fallen victim to neglect and vandalism over the years and is in very poor condition. However, the house has tremendous potential - many early features of the building are still intact. The Thoreau Farm Trust is determined to restore and rehabilitate the house for reuse as an educational center. Learn how you can help us today.

Left, the front door as it appears today. Right, the front door will be restored as it appears in this c.1878 photograph.

Photo: Concord Free Public Library

The 18th-century entry consisted of a six-panel door with smaller panels between long upper and lower ones surrounded by molded architrave and a pair of tall, tapered pilasters, and surmounted by a five-light transom and an elegant modillioned and dentiled cornice. These details were probably added in the 1770s.

View from the parlor.

View from the front door

The front lobby and staircase are the least altered elements of the house. This area features a high-style, three-run staircase with molded handrail and newel caps, turned and carved balusters, and raised-field paneling. This paneling is of a three-row configuration (short middle panel positioned between longer upper and lower ones), which was an expensive, time-consuming type of cabinetry requiring a high degree of technical stills but common in houses of well-to-do mid- to late-18th-century Concord farmers. Damage to the left of the stairs caused by vandalism will be repaired.

Thoreau was born in the upper east chamber of the house in 1817. Much of the late 18th-century fabric remains in this room along with substantial evidence for lost features. Significant 18th-century elements shown in this photo include: a raised-paneled fireplace wall, floor boards which have survived in good condition, and beams protruding below the plaster ceiling.

In the attic, we see that the original roof structure is a principal-rafter and purlin system without any diagonal bracing. Each of the six rafter sets is pinned at the top into a four-sided ridge beam. Note the hand-hewn timbers.

A small, functional addition will be added to the back of the building that will offer wheelchair access, a handicap-accessible bathroom, and a storage area. A back staircase in the addition will help prevent excessive wear and tear on the front lobby and staircase.