2013 Thoreau Society Annual Gathering, "Mystic, Transcendentalist, and Natural Philosopher to Boot”

The 2013 Thoreau Society Annual Gathering, “Mystic, Transcendentalist, and Natural Philosopher to Boot,” will take place from July 10-14, at sites in Concord, Lincoln, and the Walden Pond State Reservation. The Annual Gathering will include performing arts, guided tours, nature walks, scholarly presentations, meditation at Walden Pond, river trips, and a variety of workshops that explore Thoreau's creative legacy.

Henry and Emily: The Muses in Massachusetts, a dramatic presentation about what might have transpired if Thoreau and Dickinson had met for tea in 1860, will kick off this festival on July 10th at 7:30pm at First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Rd., Concord, MA. The public is invited to attend this two-person play free of charge.

The keynote address will be given by Robert D. Richardson, noted historian and biographer of Thoreau, Emerson, and William James, at First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Rd., on Saturday, July 13th at 10:45am, and is free and open to the public.

Other highlights include: Presentations on climate change chaired by BU Professor Richard Primack; a performance of Charles Ives’ Concord Sonata; the Ralph Waldo Emerson Society Panel; nature hikes with naturalist Peter Alden; two original films; dinner at the Walden Woods Project; a 20-author book-signing; and conversational programs with local historians Jayne Gordon and Tom Blanding.

There are two special events on Sunday, July 14th that are free and open to the public: A picnic and tour of the Thoreau Farm Birthplace, complete with birthday cake, at 341 Virginia Rd. Concord, at 11:30am; and Don Wilding's talk and documentary screening of "Henry Beston's Cape Cod: Inspiration for a National Seashore," at First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Rd., at 7:30pm. 

Explore New England Transcendentalism through an array of international perspectives and multidisciplinary presentations. Advance registration is recommended at www.thoreausociety.org. Beginning on July 11th, registration will also take place at the Masonic Temple, 58 Monument Square, Concord, MA. For information, contact The Thoreau Society at info@thoreausociety.org or 978-369-5310.