Henry David Thoreau’s "Yellow House" Hits the Market for $2.6 Million
Many have imagined living inside their favorite books, and now it’s actually possible for Henry David Thoreau fans. The yellow house the famed author wrote about in Walden; Or, Life in the Woods is on the market for $2.6 million.
Thoreau lived in the attic of the home, located at 255 Main Street in Concord, Massachusetts, and described the space as his haven. “I have, as it were, my own sun and moon and stars, and a little world all to myself,” he wrote.
While the attic might be the most famous part of the home, the rest of the historic property is just as stunning. Described as Federal-style Colonial, the 5,807-square-foot home has six bedrooms and five baths, and sits on three-quarters of an acre. There are working fireplaces and hardwood floors throughout.
“The current owners have renovated the house in a manner respectful of its era, yet mindful of today’s lifestyle,” listing agent Amy Barrett of Barrett Sotheby’s International Realty told Boston.com. Those upgrades include a modern kitchen with chef-worthy appliances and marble countertops. A gunite in-ground pool and barn turned three-car garage are also available for the new owner. Of course, the home is still yellow, just as it was when Thoreau’s father, John, bought it in 1849.
As an added bonus, this home has another very notable literary connection. After Thoreau's death in 1862 (he spent his last days at the Yellow House), Little Women author Louisa May Alcott helped her parents buy the property in 1877, and would sometimes stay there. “It’s a very, very special property for many reasons,” Barrett said.
