Ralph Waldo Emerson and his wife Lydia “Lidian” Jackson Emerson moved into this square white house in Concord, Massachusetts in September of 1835—the day after their wedding—and remained here the rest of their lives, raising four children and hosting countless visitors from near and far.

The house, nicknamed “Bush” by the Emersons, was originally built in 1828 for the Coolidge family of Boston. It was from this home that Emerson established himself as an essayist, lecturer and poet, writing many of his most enduring works at the round table in his study.

At the center of a renaissance in American ideas, the Emerson House saw the comings and goings of many of the American literary and intellectual figures of the 19th century. Frequent guests included Mary Moody Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, the Alcotts, the Peabodys, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Daniel Chester French.

Today, the house and grounds remain much as they were when the Emersons lived here. A unique blend of family home, museum, and pilgrimage site, the Emerson House continues to draw visitors from around the world.

In its commitment to preserving Emerson’s legacy, the RWEMA relies on donations to help cover maintenance and repair costs of this historic home. We are very grateful for your support!