Literary New England: Lives & Legacies of American Writers

4:00-5:30 p.m.: After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to meet with program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Your program materials will be sent to you a few days before the program, digitally, through your roadscholar.org account. This includes your program itinerary, any related handouts, and restaurant/free time suggestions. Please plan to print them out and bring along to the program, utilize the hotel’s business center to access them, or view them on your own personal electronic device. Orientation: 6:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Our experienced and knowledgeable Group Leader will also serve as our instructor, presenting lectures and conducting field trips along with local experts. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At the hotel.

In the 1800s, Concord was the center for American authors and thinkers, including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Louisa May Alcott. Led by a museum educator, we’ll explore 1800s Concord and discover the impact of the anti-slavery movement, the Civil War, and the lives and homes of the famous authors who lived here. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the Inn.

We will board the motorcoach and head out to visit Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, where an expert docent will lead us through the rich history of the manor and life with the Alcotts. Most notably known as the home where Louisa May Alcott wrote and set ‘Little Women,’ we will learn about the Alcott family, their accomplishments and lasting impacts, and influence on characters in ‘Little Women.’ We will continue on to visit the Emerson House. We will be joined by a local expert to walk through the historical home and learn about the many fellow American Transcendentalists who came to visit.

At Concord's Colonial Inn.

We will board our motorcoach to take a drive through historical Concord, with notable sites including The Old Manse grounds, The Wayside at Minute Man NP, Emerson-Thoreau Amble and Walden Pond, Thoreau Farm, and Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. The Group Leader will provide commentary as we pass these sites.

At a local restaurant.

Join your fellow Road Scholars in a book club facilitated by our Group Leader to discuss the works of notable American Transcendentalists and their lasting impacts.

At the Inn.

We’ll start the day with an expert-led exploration of the House of the Seven Gables. We will visit the iconic site, taking in the structure that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne to write what would become an American classic. Next, we will venture into New Hampshire to the Robert Frost Farm in Derry for an expert-led walk through of the house of the world-renowned poet. Then, we will follow a poetry trail through the grounds to take in the inspiring landscape and make stops throughout to read 14 of his classic poems.

Our program was planned far in advance when details of this meal were not available. When confirmed, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment.

We will visit the Jack Kerouac Center.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Join your fellow Road Scholars in a book club facilitated by our Group Leader to discuss the works of notable American Transcendentalists and their lasting impacts. Afterwards, prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the Inn.

Following check-out, we will board the motorcoach and visit the Emily Dickinson Museum, where the prolific American poet was born, died, and wrote her life’s work. Led by a docent, we will walk through both the home of Emily Dickinson and the home of her brother, each restored and providing insight into Dickinson’s life story. We will continue to Smith College where we will meet with an archivist at the Mortimer Rare Book Collection. The collection includes rare, historical books and manuscripts that helped define American literature, including works from Sylvia Plath, Virginia Woolf, and Mary Shelley.

At Smith College.

We will have some independent time at Smith to eat, picnic, and take a walk through their beautiful botanical gardens as we each see fit. We will then board the motorcoach to drive to Pittsfield.

At the hotel.

Join your fellow Road Scholars in a book club facilitated by our Group Leader to discuss the works of notable American Transcendentalists and their lasting impacts.

At the hotel.

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. Those who wish may elect to join a book club meeting with the Group Leader.

On your own to enjoy local fare.

Following a motorcoach ride to Amherst, we will visit the W.E.B. Du Bois Center for a private walkthrough of the center, learning about his activism to help found the NAACP and writing what would become a piece of classic American literature, ‘The Souls of Black Folk.’ We will speak with a Du Bois scholar to further our understanding of his life and legacy in literature and the civil rights movement. Returning to the Berkshires by motorcoach, we will go on a walk through downtown Great Barrington to explore the hometown that shaped W.E.B. Du Bois, including his birthplace, boyhood homesite, town hall, and more. We will end the afternoon at the Red Lion Inn for afternoon tea before returning to the hotel.

On your own.

Join us for an eerie ghost exploration at The Mount, home of Edith Wharton. Witness for yourself the creaky floors and slamming doors that sparked the imagination for the epic ghost stories written by its former resident.

At the hotel.

We will start the day by visiting Herman Melville’s historic home, Arrowhead. A local expert will take us through the house to learn more about Melville’s life and make stops to view various sources of inspiration for his stories. Next, we will go outside to walk the Arrowhead Nature Trail through the woods and meadow that Melville spent much of his time. We will make our way over to Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts at 3,491 feet. We will stop by the Visitor Center to learn more from staff about the State Reservation and take in the scenic views. For those interested, there is an elective trail opportunity, the Bradley Farms Trail, to further explore the State Reservation.

Boxed lunch.

We will visit a local bookshop to hear from an author.

At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

At the hotel.

We will check out of the hotel and transfer by motorcoach to the airport. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!