Picture Book Biographies

 Last week, I talked about our visit to Lousia May Alcott's Orchard House. 

And ironically, I had two books checked out from the library that I had forgotten about that fit with the day perfectly!

This picture book biography shares a lot of information about Louisa May Alcott- but not in an overwhelming way.  It's a lovely book that's needed in libraries - especially those in New England.

* I ordered this from another library to see if I wanted to purchase it for my library. And I do.

Daniel Chester French was a student of May Alcott's. He created the Minuteman Monument at Old North Bridge in Concord, MA. He also created the statue of Lincoln in Washington DC. This book shares his start as an artist, his teachings, and how he created art. 

While this book is a bit long, it's also not overwhelming. There's a significant amount of information. I love the black and white illustration. There's a timeline at the end of the book.

It's funny how life works out sometimes. 

Visiting Orchard House

 Last Weekend, we visited the Orchard House as a day trip and it was lovely. I had been previously when I was 17, so a very long time ago.

Orchard House was the home of Louisa May Alcott, who wrote Little Women. You're not allowed to take pictures inside, which makes sense but also is a shame. Louisa May Aclott's sister May was a talented artist. She drew all through the family home - on windowsills, doors, and fireplace covers. It's really neat to see the drawings.

You can also see the desk in Louisa May Alcott's room where the wrote Little Women, part one. Once that was published, readers begged for a second book to see if the sisters got married. She was forced to make them marry, but she knew that Jo couldn't end up with Laurie. Louisa May Alcott made up a man, similar to her father, for Jo. During the time of publication of the first book, her address was printed. Many fans showed up at the house, forcing her to find a place in Boston where she could write. 

The sign outside

The House

Me in front of the house

Her father's school. Mr. Alcott was a Transcendentalist. He believed that Everyone should have an education, just not white men. 

 

The back side of the house. The house was made up of several buildings on the property cobbled together.

A recreation of a photo from the first time I was there.

The sisters' garden

Making a wish

A lovely tree

Me on the steps 

Other facts about the house:

Beth never lived in it. She died before it was ready

Louisa paid for May to travel to Europe to study art

May had a picture in the Salon, you can see that picture in the house

Besides the portraits in the house, most of the artwork is May's work

Anna (Meg in the books) was married in the house

The floors in the house slope something fierce. And the doorways are very crooked. It's a charming old house.

So many items in the house belonged to the Alcott's. It's very impressive.

There is a shocking lack of books except for in Mr. Alcott's study and Louisa May Alcott's room.

The Alcotts are buried in the local cemetery. 

Because we were in Concord, we stopped by the Old North Bridge where the "shot heard round the world" was fired. It's the place where 'American' soldiers were ordered to fire upon the Redcoats. 

Here's the bridge

 

Views from the bridge.

The bridge is NOT the original bridge. It's the seventh bridge since it was built. 

The Minuteman Statue is by Daniel Chester French who had ties to the Alcott's and who created the Lincoln memorial statue.

All in all, it was a gorgeous day, just perfect for an adventure.