Jan 08
16
Concord School of Philosophy, Concord, MA
(cited as one of top Boston Globe/Boston.com Winter Wonderland winning photographs for 2008)
The Concord School of Philosophy was founded by Bronson Alcott in the latter part of his life. He had been an educational reformer throughout much of the 19th century, his most famous school being the Temple School in Boston. The School of Philosophy is located on the Orchard House property and is situated on the steep incline west of the home. Named “The Chapel”, it was crafted simply and exists today in its original form, framed by a magnificent crescent of trees that rest on a glacial slope.
Alcott founded the Concord School of Philosophy as an experiment in adult education to be carried out in the Summer. The teachings were inspired by a belief in Transcendentalism. Essentially the concept that was people are born good, that all humans had access to divine inspiration and one could foster a relationship with God through closeness with Nature. The School was unique on many levels, not least of which, it was co-educational. The principles fostered attracted people looking to embrace self-determination, life-long education and a willingness to include parts of society who felt disenfranchised by 19th centuries mores – chief among these, women of intellect such as Margaret Fuller and Elizabeth Palmer Peabody. Alcott encouraged energetic debate and called these summer sessions “Conversations”. The School’s ardent supporters included fellow Concordians Ralph Waldo Emerson and Frank Sandborn. It lasted for nine years and closed soon after Alcott’s death in 1881. Today, It has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts, hosting gatherings of educators in the summer months coordinated through Orchard House’s Louisa May Alcott Memorial Association.