Revolution, Little Women & Big Ships

For the last two days we have gone back in time, learning more about history: how the United States of America can into existence, the rise of several famous authors in the mid-1800's from Concord, Massachusetts and the sacrifice of so many in World War II on large ships that we may continue to enjoy the beauty and freedoms we have across this great county.

We began at Minuteman National Historic Park visitor Center, in the middle of the route from Concord to Boston. This was the strangest looking NPS visitor center we have ever seen and the most complicated visual presentation we have seen, using video, audio, map lights to show troop movements, lights in the Old North church and artifacts.

Visitor Center Done in Colonial Burnt Wood Style

While the Visitor Center was small, the story of the first shots heard round the world extends along the historic road from Boston in the east to Concord twenty-five miles to the west. This is the route the British soldiers marched through the night in April 19, 1775 to capture the arms, powder and cannon the colonists had stored in Concord. 

Paul Revere and Two Riders Rousing the Militia

Paul had men watching which direction the British would take west and to hang lanterns to show the route, so he and others could warn the people along the way. Hence, the famous line in Longfellow's poem of "one if by land, two if by sea."  The soldier crossed the harbor by boat, giving Paul Revere time to cross to Charlestown and ride to wake militia across the small hamlets. 

At the North Bridge near Concord the Colonial Militia Stopped the British

Minuteman Statue at North bridge

We talked to the Park Service staff at the bridge, who explained the "hill" had no trees on it, nor many around the stream we see today. The colonists had cut most of them either to build homes, fences or heat their homes in the long winters of the area. The militia kept arriving and chased the English soldiers all the 25 miles back to Boston, following them from the trees and brush along the road, picking them off all along the way. We were amazed at the thousands of militia who came out, effectively beginning the Revolutionary War.

Orchard House, Home to the Alcott's for 20 Years

Today, we jumped forward in time to the mid-1800's when we visited the historic home of Louisa May Alcott and her family. This is the home, in Concord, where she wrote "Little Women" and its sequel and several other stories, from her upstairs bedroom on right. Her father was a well-known educator, who first instituted recess and raising your hand to ask a question. Louisa and her sisters had a progressive education for their time, learning from Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau who lived nearby. We had an excellent tour guide.

Louisa May Alcott's Bedroom

We were surprised that 80% of the house furnishings actually belonged to the Alcotts. We were amazed that Louisa typically wrote for 14 hours a day, in between household chores. Her dad built her the white half-round desk and when she sold her first book, she bought the the maple desk in the corner. Because her right hand and thumb would become numb from writing, she taught herself to write with her left hand, so she could alternate hands. We found her tiny cramped handwriting, VERY hard to read! Her goal when she began writing was to help her mother and sisters, due to her father more concerned about philosophy than food. We did not know she served as a nurse in the Civil War, where she contracted typhoid pneumonia that was treated with mercury. This treatment, prematurely aged her and she died at age 55 in 1888 after publishing over 30 books, short stories and thrillers under a different name. It was a fascinating look at life in the 1800's in Massachusetts. 

After Orchard House, we drove south to Falls River to Battleship Cove and the museum ships that are moored there.  The biggest ship is the battleship Massachusetts.  It was one of the big ships that helped win World War II.  We were able to roam through most of the ship and see several exhibits on different campaigns and war related activities.

Battleship Massachusetts and Other War Ships

We were also able to see two original PT boats and several exhibits on the patrol torpedo boats.  They also had a WWII era submarine, and a destroyer named for Joe Kennedy, Jr. on display, but we did not take the time to visit those.  Neil saw the sailor bunks and remembered when he and his two brothers slept in those when his Dad was stationed in New Orleans.  He even had a bulletin board with chores for the three of us.  Not exactly his fondest memories.

Neil Slept on One of These "Racks" Three High with His Brothers

The old teak decks of the battleship have seen much better days, but Neil remembers when his father salvaged a bunch of teak from a battleship that was being scrapped in Seattle when he was there with his buoy tender in the Coast Guard.  e wore out a lot of planer blades on Coast Guard bases in later years.  He built a very nice corner gun cabinet out of the teak and had one of the brass "tompions" from one of the five inch guns as a decoration on the top.  Neil's brother Bruce has this beauty.

These Teak Decks Have Seen Better Days

These Brass Covers or Plugs Went Over the Muzzles of Naval Guns

All in all, it was a good and varied couple of days of history from three different centuries.  Tomorrow, we head south and west a bit towards the Hudson River Valley and some attractions there.  

As we close, we will mention that we will not miss Massachusetts roads or their drivers.  The on and off ramps on the highways are very short,  which gives you very little time to merge back on the highways or to exit off them.  To make matters worse, the drivers are very aggressive and cut you off with wild abandon.  And lastly, we noticed tonight that a lot of drivers don't bother to turn on their headlights at dusk.  Maybe New York will be better?  Probably not.  It is sure nice to have a small and nimble car like our Subaru Forester to make these side trips.  It would be impossible in the RV and more difficult in a large truck. 

Best wishes,

Neil and Pamela