Archaeological Investigations at the Old Manse, Concord, Massachusetts

Summary

This report presents the results of archaeological investigations conducted at The Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts between 1994 and 1998 at the request of The Trustees of Reservations. The Old Manse is one of the best known historic properties in the United States. The period of Emerson and Hawthorne's residence at The Old Manse was relatively brief when compared to the more than 300 years of continuous occupation by English and then American owners, to say nothing of the Native American presence which covered thousands of years. All of these inhabitants have left their marks on The Old Manse and its surrounding landscape. Therefore, as part of their development plans, The Trustees of Reservations sought to ensure that the archaeological record of this millennium old occupation was not destroyed in the process. Each series of archaeological investigations was prompted by plans to enhance the interpretive program developed by The Trustees of Reservations to tell the almost 300 year old story of The Old Manse property and its residents. As a result of the investigations, this interpretive focus has now been expanded to include the Native American inhabitants of the property.

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