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The Old Manse

The Old Manse, viewed from its Concord River side.

The Old Manse is a famous house for its American literary associations. The Old Manse is a historic house situated in Concord, Massachusetts. Built in 1769, the house stands as an iconic reminder of the beginnings of American history. Now an important part of the Minute Man National Historical Park, the two-and-a-half-story Georgian-style house has a distinctly Eighteenth century flavor. Its high roof and central chimney echo the well-ordered style of those early days, giving the house a unique and timeless charm.

The house was originally built by the Reverend William Cauldwell. Cauldwell was a well-to-do minister of the local Congregational Church who wanted to demonstrate his reverence for God through the construction of a fine home. The bricks used to build the house were brought from England at great expense, and the carvings which decorate the front of the house were made by a local craftsman. Cauldwell also incorporated New England's Revolutionary history into the house by using planks salvaged from old Revolutionary shipwrecks and erecting a weathervane of the figure of Revolutionary War Captain John Parker—the first commanding officer of the Minutemen. After Reverend Cauldwell's death, the house passed through various hands and served as a Masonic temple, residence of the Hawthorne family, and even a ladies school. During the 19th century the house was leased by a number of prominent Bostonian families, including the Appletons. It was during the Appleton's occupancy that Nathaniel Hawthorne spent a good part of his youth, or, as Hawthorne himself put it, the house was a "lovely haunt of my boyish days." Hawthorne wrote some of his most celebrated works during his stay in this house, including The House of Seven Gables and The Scarlet Letter.

Just as it was when the Cauldwells moved in, the house still consists of original 18th century paneling, wooden beams, and fireplaces. It also retains the four chimneys, 5 foot basement, and 5 foot high attic originally built by the Reverend. The main entrance opens into a large central hall that contains doors leading to every part of the house, and lends the house an air of symmetry and cohesion that is often lost in modern homes. The ground floor houses the study and parlor, dining room and kitchen, while the second floor is mostly a sleeping area with four bedrooms and a nursery. On the third storey there is a large attic and a single, large bedroom.

The house is furnished with an eclectic mix of period pieces as well as items belonging to the Hawthorne family. Trunks, desks, and furniture from the Hawthornes' time can all be found in the house, as well as several of Hawthorne's own books.

On the exterior, the house is composed of reddish-brown bricks that have been laid in the English bond pattern. The roof is a mansard-style which gives the house an air of distinction, while the central chimney and ornamental weathervane ladder to its original builders.

The Old Manse, with its sturdy construction and history, is considered to be an iconic symbol of the beginning of the American Revolution. It was once home to some of Americas greatest literary and political figures such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Margaret Fuller. The property is owned and administered by The Trustees of Reservations, a nonprofit heritage preservation organization. The site is composed of two structures built before 1800 by the Emerson and Hawthorne families. The older structure is the Emerson-Thoreau House, also known as the Old Manse, and the newer structure is the Hawthorne-Fuller House, which was added in the mid-1800s.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and evaluate the design of the Old Manse property and the elements of the structure that make it worthy of preservation. The evaluation will explore the historical context of the property as well as the design of the two structures, including their materials, layout, and use. The paper will also address ways in which the design of the Old Manse has been preserved over time and how the property might be adapted for future use.

The Old Manse property has a rich history and has been home to some of the most influential figures of literature and history. The Emerson-Thoreau House, or Old Manse, is the oldest structure and was built in 1769 by Reverend William Emerson. He was a prominent minister in the Congregational Church and a leader of the American Revolution. Emersons son, the famous philosopher and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson, lived at the Old Manse from 1817 to 1847. During that time, Emerson was joined by his friends the transcendentalists Henry David Thoreau and Margaret Fuller, as well as Nathaniel Hawthorne and his bride, Sophia Peabody, who became close friends with Emerson. Hawthorne and Peabody later lived in the house from 1842-1845 and it was during their stay that they wrote “The House of the Seven Gables” and “The Blithedale Romance,” both of which were based on the Old Manse.

The Old Manse is an early Post-Colonial vernacular house. It is a two and a half story structure with a center chimney, five bays across, and two asymmetric wings. The central portion of the house is five bays wide and two bays deep with a center hall with a staircase in the middle of the house. On either side of the central hall are two rooms each. The original structure was made of wood, though the current material is painted clapboards. The front door is located on the south end of the main facade and has a single-story portico supported by four Simple Doric columns. There are two wings extending from each side of the main facade, one containing a library added in the mid-1800s, and the other containing a bedroom.

The design of the house is simple and uncluttered, with straight lines and minimal trim. This reflects the postwar period of the house and the emphasis on thriftiness and utility that was common in the period. The house also has a symmetrical arrangement both inside and out. Inside the house, the main spaces all open to each other, creating an easily navigable floor plan. This arrangement is still present today, although the modern-day owners have added a few extra rooms.

The Hawthorne-Fuller House was added to the property in 1828 by Nathaniel and Sophia Hawthorne and their family. The house, which now serves as a museum of Hawthornes life and work, is a two and a half story clapboarded structure with a main gable wing and a side wing. The gable wing includes four rooms on the first floor and two bedrooms on the second floor. The side wing includes two bedrooms on the first floor and a kitchen on the second floor. The house has a simple, functional design with few decorative details and its original materials and layout are still intact.

The original owner of the Old Manse House was a wealthy member of the People's Union, a social movement that sought to ensure workers had fair wages and good working conditions. He purchased the house in the late nineteenth century, and it has been in his family ever since. The house has been rented out as a holiday home for generations, and is now a popular retreat for people looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Old Manse House was built to provide comfort and convenience for its occupants. This includes creating a pleasant aesthetic that will draw people in and make them feel at home. The house was also designed to be energy efficient and sustainable while keeping true to its historical roots.

The exterior of Old Manse House is a traditional English home. It was designed with a symmetrical layout featuring a thatched roof, white-washed walls, and black-painted window frames. The house has a simple, homey look that is inviting to potential visitors. The front entrance is framed by a porch with a small roof that provides shelter from the elements. The entryway is framed by stonework, and leads into a large living room with wooden floors and paneled walls. The interior of Old Manse House features rich, traditional details that evoke a feeling of warmth and coziness. The color palette includes shades of cream, brown, and blue, which adds a sense of depth and character to the space.

The kitchen is relatively modest, but features a large country-style sink and plenty of cabinets for storage. The dining area is large and can seat up to ten people, and the living room is lined with a sofa, a wood-burning fireplace, and a grand piano. The bedrooms are located on the second floor, and each has a full bathroom as well as access to a private balcony. The bathrooms feature clawfoot tubs, and the bedrooms are fitted with custom-made linens that match the traditional style of the house.

The Trustees of Reservations have worked to both preserve the design of the Old Manse and to adapt it for use as a public site. The design of the house has been preserved by restoring the original material, layout, and features of the house. The original walls and floors have been restored and repairs have been made to the porch and other parts of the property. The restoration of the original appearance of the house has been instrumental in preserving its architectural integrity. In addition to preserving the original design of the house, The Trustees have adapted the house to make it a useful public site. The property is now open to the public for tours, special events, and educational programs. The house has been furnished with period furniture and artifacts to convey the atmosphere of the time in which it was built. The Trustees have also installed interpretive displays throughout the house to help visitors learn more about the history of the house, its inhabitants, and the time period.

The Old Manse is a testament to the history and design of the past and is a reminder of the important roles that literature, philosophy, and politics played in American history. The design of the house is a reflection of the era in which it was built, and its layout and materials emphasize the importance of practicality and functionality. The Trustees of Reservations have preserved the original design of the house while adapting it to make it a useful and engaging public site. The Old Manse is an important example of an early Post-Colonial vernacular house and its preservation is essential to preserving Americas history and culture.