In 1965, The Wayside became part of Minute Man National Historical Park and the first literary site added to the National Park Service.

The Lothrops were the last private family to live here.

In 1883 Harriett Lothrop (pen name Margaret Sidney), children's author and creator of the 'Five Little Peppers,' her husband Daniel and daughter Margaret lived in and preserved The Wayside for future generations. The Wayside is now a site on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. While in the house in the 1840s, the Alcott family aided at least one freedom seeker on his flight to freedom. He and his family owned the house from 1852 through 1869 and called it 'The Wayside.'Īs part of the first generation to inherit the Revolution, these early writers helped shape the new nation's cultural identity even as they struggled with the Revolution's legacy and the unresolved issue of slavery. Nathaniel Hawthorne, wrote The Scarlet Letter, House of the Seven Gables, Twice Told Tales, and other novels and publications. Brief Summary of Book: Five Little Peppers Midway (Five Little Peppers, 2) by Margaret Sidney Here is a quick description and cover image of book Five Little Peppers Midway (Five Little Peppers, 2) written by Margaret Sidney which was published in Janu.The Alcotts, who owned the house from 1845-1852, called it 'Hillside.' Here Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women, and her sisters lived much of the childhood described in the book.They, along with their neighbors Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau joined many others such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Herman Melville to begin a literary tradition recognized as distinctly American. The Wayside is among the park's 11 April 19th Witness Houses.ĭuring the 19th century a succession of authors called this house home most notably Louisa May Alcott and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Despite British soldiers marching right past the house as they entered Concord there is no evidence they stopped and searched it. On Apthe house was directly mentioned by General Thomas Gage as a place to be searched for arms and supplies. Three Centuries of History and LiteratureĮarly occupants of the Wayside included Samuel Whitney, member of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress in 1775 and muster master for Concord's minute man companies.

Margaret sidney five little peppers