Orchard House (in Concord, MA) is most notable as the home where Louisa May Alcott wrote and set her iconic novel Little Women in 1868. In this podcast we talk with JAN TURNQUIST, executive director of Orchard House where visitors can go back in time to the world of the Alcott family as well as Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March. Recreations of Orchard House can be seen in recent adaptations of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women the 2017 BBC PBS MASTERPIECE limited series, directed by Vanessa Caswill, and the 2019 film directed by Greta Gerwig.

1:18 - Jan Turnquist, Executive Director of Orchard House (bio)

3:41 - Orchard House History

7:45 - Discovering "Little Women"

8:57 - Enduring Appeal of "Little Women"

13:50 - The Alcotts and The March Family

15:19 - Civil War Backdrop of "Little Women"

17:00 - "Little Women" Adaptations (Page to Screen)

18:22 - Recreating New England in Ireland (BBC/PBS 2017)

22:08 - Recreating Orchard House and Concord MA (Greta Gerwig 2019)

26:03 - Fidelity to Novel vs Retaining the Heart of the Story

29:48 - Podcast Break

30:20 - Revolution, Literary Movement & Transcendentalists in Concord MA

36:27 - Louisa May Alcott's Feminism

37:19 - What is an American?

38:13 - International Appeal of Little Women

40:48 - Quintessential American

41:09 - Abba May "Marmee" Alcott -- Pragmatic and Progressive Parent

45:53 - Reenacting Louisa May Alcott (Jan Turnquist)

51:23 - Sharing Orchard House

52:26 - Orchard House Legacy and Impact

58:09 - Lightning Round

1:06 - Wrap Up

STAY ENGAGED with HISTORICAL DRAMA WITH THE BOSTON SISTERS

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