Venture Out: A Literary, Historical Gem Just 30 Minutes Away

About 30 miles away, The Old Manse stands as a witness to social, cultural and political history.

You can't deny the historical significance of Concord, Mass. With its famous residents (Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, to name a couple), famous battlefield (Old North Bridge where the first day of the battle in the Revolutionary War took place) and, of course, famous Concord grape (responsible for the juice in countless sippy cups), history is nearly tangible in this quaint town outside Boston. One home in Concord, however, has enough history of its own to merit a visit even though that home is also tied to so many other events for which Concord is famous. The Old Manse, built in 1770 as a home for minister William Emerson, has seen the likes of Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Bronson Alcott and so many …

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Venture Out: Just 15 Minutes to Hiking, Swimming and History

Here are 10 things you should know about your trip to Walden Pond.

In southeast Concord, Mass., you’ll find a pond with just the slightest bit of history. OK, it has a lot of history associated with it, including perhaps the most famous book ever based on a pond. Walden Pond, once the isolated, tree surrounded centerpiece for Henry David Thoreau’s nature-geared “Walden,” is now a centerpiece for literary lovers, nature lovers and beach lovers alike. Because of its literary legacy, Walden Pond has been designated a National Historic Landmark and, according to the reservation’s website, is considered “the birthplace of conservation.” Today, visitors to the reservation can catch a glimpse of the isolation and minimalist quarters Thoreau experienced during his two years living on the pond's shores, or they …

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Dining Around the World: Eating Out in Wayland

Did you know Wayland offers places to sample tastes from around the world? The Saturday Patch Passport is a complete list of places to eat in your town organized by international flavor.

American: Chinese: Italian/Pizza: Mexican: Thai:

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Treasure Hunt: A Twinkling World Tucked in a Barn

The Friday Patch Passport shows you where you can find treasures in your town. Get out and explore the local shops and all they have to offer.

Step into the barn at Yankee Craftsman on Commonwealth Road and you just might feel like you're stargazing. Stargazing at an eclectic, abstract, colorful, illuminated sky, that is. Yankee Craftsman, established in 1970, specializes in lighting. Specifically, in antique lighting, though they can repair or refinish everything from Tiffany lamps to halogen lights. And, while you're there, don't forget to take your eyes off the chandeliers, sconces and art glass shades long enough to take in some of the antique furniture, knickknacks, art work and more. This is truly the store for someone looking for a one-of-a-kind piece to put that finishing touch on a room or give the perfect, unique gift. Brothers Gary, Bruce and Scott Sweeney have been …

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Brooklyn Lowery

5:34 pm on Friday, August 19, 2011

Have you had a chance to stop by yet? A lady in the parking lot the other day told me she came looking for a globe to match one that had been broken at a historic courthouse. Apparently, she thought she found a match. Made me wonder if you'd found what you needed.   more ›

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A Little Bit of Paradise: Libra Salon and Spa

Today's Patch Passport takes you to a local place where you can feel a million miles from the daily stress of life. Come along and relax ...

Editor's Note: While the services below are still offered at Libra, as of fall 2012, Elizabeth Loh no longer works there. It’s late July, and I’ve become accustomed to getting sweaty walking from my car into the grocery (don’t even get me started on carrying the bags out to my car a bit later) and, thanks to the lack of rain, there’s enough dust in the air to make me feel grimy just walking out the door.  Plus, my feet have taken a thorough beating from my beloved flip-flops. Luckily, there is an oasis – a cool, quiet, pampering respite from the heat and dust of summer in Wayland. Wayland’s Libra Salon and Spa is tucked into an office building just across the line from Weston on Boston Post Road. Don’t let the office building fool you; …

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Travel Back in Time: The Grout-Heard House Museum

Travel back in time with this Wednesday Patch Passport, to discover the history and roots of Wayland.

You can catch glimpses of Wayland’s history throughout the town: At First Parish Wayland, at the old cemeteries, maybe even in your own home. But if you’re interested in more than a glimpse, the Grout-Heard House Museum is the place to go. The Grout-Heard House has, in its own right, quite a history. But its role now as a house museum and headquarters for the Wayland Historical Society gives it an added bit of historical charm. The house was built in 1740 on the land where it currently stands, at the corner of Old Sudbury and Concord roads. The town granted the land to Thomas Cakebread to entice him to move to the town and become its miller. His son-in-law John Grout inherited the home when Cakebread died not long after arriving. Over the …

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Patch Passport: Kid-Friendly Fun in Wayland

Take advantage of time with your kids and get out and enjoy these hot spots.

It's summertime and that means your kids have a bit more free time than they do during the school year. Are you running out of ideas for kid-friendly fun? Let Patch help. We have a couple of suggestions in Wayland, one of which is depicted in the photo with this article. To find out where that photo was captured, check out our pick for quiet indoor fun in Wayland. And if exuberant outdoor fun is more your speed, we have a pick for that as well. Tell us your favorite kid-friendly spots in Wayland on our Facebook page or tell us in the comments and we'll share it in this project. We can't wait to hear from you!

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