Right next to Old North Bridge, the Old Manse was built in 1769 by Ralph Waldo’s grandfather, the Reverend William Emerson. Today it’s filled with mementos, including those of Nathaniel and Sophia Hawthorne, who lived here for a few years. The highlight of Old Manse is the gorgeously maintained grounds – the fabulous organic garden was planted by Henry Thoreau as a wedding gift to the Hawthornes.
