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Opening May 7 at the Concord Museum Every Path Laid

Open: Women of Concord and the Quest for Equality

CONCORD, MA – In 1845, feminist Margaret Fuller described the Louisa May Alcott became, by persistence and ability, one of
ultimate goal of women's suffrage: “We would have every path laid America’s most popular authors;
open to Woman as freely as to Man.” Spoken seventy-five years before Sophia Peabody earned the commission to sculpt a bust of Laura
American women had the legal right to vote in national elections, Bridgman, the first blind and deaf person to communicate in
Fuller’s rallying cry inspired a movement for women’s equality that the English language;
continues today. Painter Elizabeth Wentworth Roberts brought the international
In Concord, Massachusetts, generations of women—some famous art world to Concord with the establishment of the Concord
and some almost invisible—fought for their right to work and live how Art Centre in 1917.
they pleased, often in defiance of tradition and propriety. They The Concord Museum is the one
campaigned, organized, and advocated to expand their liberties and place where all of Concord’s remarkable
the liberties of others. In honor of the 100th anniversary of the past is brought to life through artifacts
passage of the 19th Amendment, this exhibition celebrates their from the Museum’s outstanding collec-
remarkable achievements. tion, rarely-seen images, period room
Among the many firsts explored in the exhibition: settings, audio presentations, and
First woman journalist to serve during wartime overseas for a creative hands-on activities. Highlights
major American newspaper; include: “Why Concord?,” – six history
First woman to register to vote in a Concord town election; galleries accompanied by a film,
First woman to serve on the Concord School Committee; Exploring Concord; A nationally-significant
First woman licensed to drive an automobile in America. collection of decorative arts, featuring
Each portrait, artwork, quilt, or piece of historic clothing on view, Concord-made clocks, silver and
carefully preserved by succeeding generations and now by the Concord furniture; Native American stone tools;
Museum, makes it possible to create meaning from the lives of ordinary The 1775 lantern ordered by Paul Revere
citizens, as well as prominent residents, such as – Silhouette, S. (Sarah) Margaret to be hung in the church steeple and
Mary Merrick Brooks, the daughter of a slaveholder, was a Fuller, Marchioness D’Ossoli made famous by Longfellow’s poem Paul
driving force of radical abolitionism in Concord; (1810-1850), Concord Revere’s Ride; Emerson’s study where he
12-year-old Black student Ellen Garrison walked hand in hand Museum Collection wrote his influential essays; The world’s
with her white classmate Abba Prescott in Concord's 1835 largest collection of Thoreau’s possessions, including his desk. In addition
Bicentennial Parade to the changing exhibitions in the Graham Gund-designed galleries, the
Cynthia Thoreau and her daughters Sophia and Helen were Museum features a Museum Shop and a complete year-round calendar of
charter members of the Concord Female Anti-Slavery Society; programs for adults and children. concordmuseum.org

Sophia Thoreau, Concord Museum Collection Louisa May Alcott, Concord Museum Collection

On exhibit May 7 through November 7, 2021

Lead Sponsor
In Historic Concord,
with additional support from
Massachusetts
State Street; Middlesex Savings Bank;
NorthBridge Insurance Agency, Inc.;
Woodman & Eaton, P. C.; For hours & admissions:
Concord Cultural Council;
Massachusetts Cultural Council; www.concordmuseum.org
and numerous generous individuals

38 2021 Show Directory Journal of Antiques and Collectibles