LowellDeeds

     The seventh original text of Henry David Thoreau’s Walden will be on display in the Thoreau Baker Farm in Lincoln, MA next week. Many regard Thoreau was one of America’s most ardent conservationists. He lived for two years in the woods around Walden Pond in Concord, MA. Thoreau shares these experiences in this famous book appropriately titled “Walden”. The book has become a classic and Thoreau an icon. I first read Walden while working a summer maintenance job for Middlesex County in 1970.
      I remember one day while digging a water trench, asking one of the supervisors “who is this Thoreau guy?
     “Well” he answered, “I guess the best way to describe him is he was one of the first hippies". Then he added "and you know that place in the woods where they say his cabin was? That is nothing but and old hot dog stand…now keep that shovel moving” (I don’t think this guy would have been in favor of the Community Preservation Act). 
     After reading Walden I became immediately intrigued with the author and his works. August 9 marks the 150 anniversary of the publication of the classic. The manuscript is available for viewing until September 13.