A NEW CHAPTER

Literary history, Federal style charm, and modern living collide in the recently updated Thoreau-Alcott House on Main Street, Concord

- JENNIFER SPERRY

Louisa’s mother, her widowed sister (Ann Alcott Pratt), and Ann’s two sons lived in Concord together. The author paid for a two-story addition, which expanded the home westward to the right of the front entry with a library below and bedroom with barrelvaulted ceiling above.

Throughout its more current history, the home remained well maintained by private owners. Its current stewards, a family of seven, purchased it in October 2019. With so many parts dating back to different time periods, the architectural gem needed some structural repairs and material and system upgrades. Also, as a family living in the 21st century, the owners wanted to optimize the style and function of high-use areas such as the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms.

Concord-based Nashawtuc Architects was brought on to spearhead a respectful, almost surgical renovation/restoration of the iconic structure that housed not just one but two literary greats. Well-versed in Concord’s abundance of historically significant homes and sites, and with many successful period projects in its portfolio, the firm welcomed the opportunity to refresh such a storied property.

Firm principal Lisa Adamiak spearheaded the project, which included a rigorous approval process with Concord’s Historic District Commission. “The owners were very understanding about the significance of the house,” asserts Adamiak. “We treaded lightly in the historic front section and took more liberties in the back parts, which had been added on later.”