We have not studied all of these authors, but we did want to see their resting place.  We found it fascinating that so many famous people come from such a small place in Massachusetts.  Emerson, Alcott, Hawthorne and Thoreau are all buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery at a place called Authors Ridge. 

Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something. Henry David Thoreau 

Every individual has a place to fill in the world and is important in some respect whether he chooses to be so or not.  Nathaniel Hawthorne

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead. 
Louisa May Alcott 

Death comes to all, but great achievements build a monument which shall endure until the sun grows cold. 
Ralph Waldo Emerson 

After our visit to Walden Pond, the kids really liked finding Thoreau’s grave.  Luckily, it was  first!  The youngers pretended to be distraught since they were in the cemetery...too funny.

Below is a stone that was not actually part of this cemetery.  It was in a cemetery in the center of town.  I  LOVE tombstones from this era.  I think they are real works of art.  This one struck me...Look at the year she died...now, look how old she was—imagine that!

This was a super cool trip!  Thanks to Jennifer over at Toadhaven for suggesting it!  The kids, Gramma and I had a great day exploring this fansastic place—-but that is not all!  Scroll down to the bottom to see another fascinating fact of Concord, MA!  Funny part is, I grew up in New England...and never knew this fact!!  Scroll down to the end—past the stone below!

If someone says the name Ephriam Bull, I would bet you have no idea who that is...but I would bet you have reaped his invention. 

Okay, I will give you a hint.  I am in CONCORD, MA. 

Ephriam Bull is the inventor of (drum roll please) the concord grape!!  Yes, wouldn’t you think the concord grape was invented in California or something??  NO!  It originated in Concord, MA.  The farm, located near Nathaniel Hawthornes’ house, still stands...and the ORIGINAL concord grape vine, the mother of all concord grape vines is still on the property.  Isn’t that amazing??  Sadly, it seems Welch’s was the only one who really profited from this—his stone reads “He sowed, others reaped.”  More here!