In His Own Words: Readings from Henry David Thoreau, Tuesdays, February 13 & 27 and Thursdays, February 8 & 15, 2018, 1:00pm-2:00pm

Join a Park Interpreter for readings from the works of Henry David Thoreau. We will take turns reading from various passages, followed by a discussion. This program is most appropriate for teens and adults, but no prior literary experience or knowledge of Thoreau’s writing is necessary. The program will meet at the Walden Pond Visitor Center; if weather permits, we will move to the replica and gather around the wood stove to keep warm.

Civil Disobedience: Sunday, January 15, 2017, 12:30-2:30pm

Join local historians and Walden park staff for the 23rd annual program to commemorate Martin Luther King Day, and the legacy of Thoreau’s essay, Civil Disobedience, at Walden Pond.

12:30pm-2:30pm Visit with Henry David Thoreau, portrayed by historian Richard Smith, at the Thoreau house replica near the main parking lot. Ask Mr. Thoreau about the night he spent in jail in 1846 for not paying his poll tax, an act which inspired his influential essay.

1:00pm Thoreau Scholar, Tom Blanding, will lead an engaging discussion on the writing of Thoreau’s essay, Civil Disobedience, at the new solar-powered Walden Pond Visitor Center. Learn how Martin Luther King Jr., having read Thoreau’s essay, used the concept of civil disobedience during the Civil Rights movement. Additional examples of civil disobedience, both historic and current, will be brought out during the discussion.

This is a free program but there is $8.00 daily parking fee for MA plates, $10 out-of-state. No preregistration required. No pets permitted. Visit http://www.mass.gov/dcr for more information. In case of inclement weather, please call (978)369-3254 for cancellation.

Co-sponsored by the Walden Woods Project http://www.walden.org, the Friends of Walden Pond State Reservation.

Walden Pond First Day Hike; Sunday, January 1, 2017, 12:00-2:00pm

Start off the New Year with good company, a sprinkling of seasonal literary readings and a cup of hot chocolate!

Meet at the new Walden Pond Visitor Center at 12:00pm. Join us for an introduction to the new net-zero visitor center and a hike to the original house site of Henry David Thoreau. The hike includes a stop at the Thoreau house replica, where historian Richard Smith portrays Thoreau in his house on New Year’s Day! Sit by the wood stove and enjoy his tales of 1847. Don’t forget to dress for the winter weather. No pets are allowed at Walden Pond State Reservation. Co-sponsored by the Walden Woods Project, the Friends Group of Walden Pond State Reservation. Walden Pond State Reservation is located at 915 Walden Street/Route 126 Concord, MA 01742
Visit http://www.mass.gov/dcr for more information. In case of inclement weather, please call (978)369-3254 for cancellation updates.

Special Program: Emerson-Thoreau Amble! 11:00am-1:00pm, Saturday, October 22, 2016, meet outside the Concord Museum!

Come join park interpretive staff for a historic guided walk from the Emerson House to Brister’s Hill and the pond called “Fairyland” in Concord’s Hapgood Wright Town Forest! Meet outside the Concord Museum main entrance. This hike will cover half of the Emerson-Thoreau Amble. Please wear good walking shoes; bring water and insect repellent.

Thoreau Family Pencil Making, Monday,October 10, 2016, 2:00-3:00pm

Come and learn about the Thoreau family’s pencil making business! Henry David Thoreau is a renowned as a writer and thinker, but he was also very handy. Not only did he  build his own house but he also improved the methods of pencil making in his family’s business. Join a park interpreter at the Thoreau house replica near the parking lot for a look into this little known side of Henry. We will have a pencil-making activity; children will leave with their own working pencil! Appropriate for children 6-12 accompanied by an adult.

Thoreau’s Stay at Walden-at the Replica, Sundays, October 2, 9, 23, & 30, and Mondays, October 10 & 31, 10:00am-12:00pm; Saturdays, October 1, 8, & 15; and Sunday, October 16, 2016, 1:00-3:00pm

Join a park interpreter at the Thoreau house replica for fun and informative learning about Henry David Thoreau’s life and his stay at Walden Pond. Please remember that on warm days and holidays, Walden Pond often closes because of visitor capacity. Visitors are strongly encouraged to call the park headquarters (978-369-3254) and listen to the voice message before planning a trip or attending a program. Don’t forget your sunscreen and/or insect repellent. Suitable for all ages.

Looking forward to our New Walden Visitor Center, Mondays (September 5, 12, 19, & 26); Thursday (September 8, 15, & 22), 10am-12pm at the House Replica, 2016

Stop by to learn about the new, green visitor center being built at Walden Pond. Hear from a park interpreter about the future exibits featuring the legacy of Henry David Thoreau and get a look at the plans for this energy efficient building.

Reading Walden’s Landscape, Tuesdays, Sept. 6, 13, & 20, 2016

Join us for an interpretive walk on the Pond Path. Thoreau was a keen observer and meticulous documenter of nature. We will identify wildflowers, ferns, shrubs, and trees, and interpret the forested landscape as Thoreau would have done. We will discuss forest succession and will also share some descriptive passages from Thoreau’s book, Walden. Meet in front of the Thoreau house replica near the Main Parking Lot. Please wear proper walking shoes and bring your water and sunscreen. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Thoreau’s Stay at Walden, Wednesdays, Sept. 7, 14, 21 & 28, 10am-12pm; Fridays, Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30, 1-3pm; Sundays, Sept. 4, 11, 18, & 25, 1-3pm; Mondays, Sept. 5 & 19, 1-3pm; Tues., Sept. 13, 1-3pm, 2016, at the Replica house

Join a park interpreter at the Thoreau house replica for fun and informative learning about Henry David Thoreau’s life and his stay at Walden Pond. On hot summer days, holidays, and weekends, Walden Pond State Reservation often closes because of visitor capacity. Visitors are strongly encouraged to call the park headquarters and listen to the voice message before planning at trip or attending a program at 978-369-3254.

Thoreau Family Pencil Making, Saturdays, September 3, 17, & 24, 2016, 1-2pm

Come and learn about the Thoreau family’s pencil making business! Henry David Thoreau is a renowned writer and thinker, but he also worked a lot with his hands. Not only did he build his house himself, but he also improved the methods of pencil making in his family’s business. Join a park interpreter near the parking lot for a look into this little-known side of Henry. We will have pencil-making activity; children will leave with their own working pencil. Appropriate for children ages 6-12 accompanied by an adult.