The Wayside

The Wayside is a house in Concord, Massachusetts that underwent multiple expansions and modifications since the early 1700s. The structure blends colonial architecture with Italianate details and features a distinctive three-story tower with rooms reflecting different periods of construction.

The house was acquired in 1769 by Samuel Whitney, a Minuteman leader during the American Revolution, and served as his family residence. Throughout the 1800s it passed to three celebrated American writers who made the property their home and workplace.

The house carries its name from a path that once ran past the property and is now visited for its connection to three major American writers. Visitors can see the rooms where these authors lived and worked on their creations.

Visitors can explore the house through guided tours operated by the National Park Service during the warmer months. Be aware that older sections feature narrow staircases and low doorways typical of colonial-era construction.

The house was the first literature-related property acquired by the National Park Service and derives its name from a historic pathway. This makes it a turning point in how the government began preserving America's literary heritage.