Join us on Friday, November 9th and Saturday, November 10th to celebrate 150 years of the beloved novel Little Women! We’ll be hosting discussions, showing the PBS miniseries Little Women, and having our very own tea party (including Miss Louisa May Alcott* herself!) All events are free, open to the public, and are family friendly – no advance sign up needed.
Friday, November 9th
1:00 – 2:30: The Alcotts and the Marches: Fact and Fiction
Join Jayne Gordon, former Director of the Orchard House, where “Little Women” was written, and Joan Spinazola, an expert in 19th Century American Literature, as they discuss and explore Louisa May Alcott’s family and that of her most famous heroines’, the March family from “Little Women”. Learn about the characters, setting, and plot of the novel, discuss some little known Alcott trivia, and discover the facts behind the fiction.
JAYNE GORDON was the the Director of Orchard House, where Little Women was written 150 years ago, for sixteen years. She has focused on the Concord Authors (Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Alcott) for decades, through her work as Director of the Thoreau Society, and as Director of Education at the Concord Museum, Walden Woods Project, and the Massachusetts Historical Society. Jayne regularly gives presentations, teaches courses, conducts training, and coordinates workshops around different aspects of the authors’ lives and works. She just moved to Damariscotta from Concord this spring, and is delighted to share her investigations and discoveries with her new community.
JOAN SPINAZOLA is a graduate of Worcester State University with a BA in English Lit. She is currently working toward her Masters Degree in English with a focus on 19th Century American Literature. A former stand-up comic, Joan took the opportunity of her 23 free hours a day to do independent study on Louisa May Alcott and the other authors of Concord. She is the owner of New England Heritage Tours and Talks where she lectures on Alcott, along with some of the lesser known women of the 19th century including Mary A. Livermore and Fanny Fern.
6:30 – 8:45 pm: Episodes 1 and 2 of PBS 2018 miniseries “Little Women”
Join us for this very special showing of the new PBS miniseries “Little Women,” with the exciting conclusion and Louisa May Alcott quiz on Saturday night.
Saturday, November 10th
10:00 – 11:30 and 12:15 to 1:00 “Little Women” crafts and activities
Drop-in fun for the whole family! Join us for Journal-Making, acting out “Tableaux Vivants” or scenes from books just like the March girls do in “Little Women,” and the art of letter-writing with pen and ink!
11:30 – 12:15 Tea with Louisa May Alcott
You are cordially invited to a very special tea party with Miss Alcott herself. Do you love the book “Little Women”? Does this book mean something special to you or others in your family? Come and sip a proper cup of tea with Miss Alcott and share your story. Tea and biscuits provided!
6:30 – 8:45 pm: Episode 3 of PBS Little Women and Louisa May Alcott Quiz Night
So you think you know Little Women? Test your knowledge during our Louisa May Alcott Quiz following the final episode of the new PBS miniseries “Little Women.” Prizes and refreshments for all!