History of 51 Walden

51 Walden is one of our town’s historic treasures. Concord architect John Chapman drafted the plans for a Town Armory in 1887, which included a head house and drill shed. It was built in the shingled Queen Anne style, with overtones of the Romanesque. A fire damaged the building in 1912, but the town repaired the structure in 1920 and renamed it The Veterans Building. 

In 1922, eminent Boston architect C. H. Blackall designed a stage, which was constructed at the back of the building. The total cost of $11,900 was shared by the Town and the Concord Players, which were founded in 1919. The stage is a smaller version of the stage in Boston’s Colonial Theatre; it includes a fly tower that allows scenery to be moved in and out easily by means of counterweighted rigging. Complete with proscenium arch, is raked from back to front, which helps audiences to view performances.

For the next fifty years, the Concord Players used The Veterans Building for theatrical performances. The Concord Minutemen and the American Legion had offices in the building as well, and at various times dog training classes were conducted on the site.  Though some modifications and repairs were made over the years, the facility deteriorated and was actually slated for demolition in 1958, but Town Meeting failed to approve sufficient funds to tear it down.  Despite its condition, the Concord Players continued to stage its performances in the building for the next decade, and the structure also functioned as a youth center.

In 1972, FOPAC was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) Massachusetts charity with the goal of renovating the building and operating it as a center for the performing arts.  Funds were raised and the lobby, dance studio and main hall were reconfigured for public performances. The resident groups are the Concord Players, Concord Orchestra, and Concord Band.  There are also numerous dance lessons and special events in the building. In April of 1975, 51 Walden was dedicated as Concord’s permanent Bicentennial Memorial, and a commemorative plaque was affixed to the entrance to the building. 

FOPAC leases the building from the Town for a $1 a year.  The current 10-year lease was signed on July 29, 2004, and per terms of the lease, FOPAC is responsible for maintenance and upkeep of the building. But FOPAC and the resident groups have done far more than maintain the building. In the mid-seventies, the Concord Players built a workshop in the back of 51 Walden to construct scenery and work on sets. The Concord Orchestra has installed acoustical panels for the music stage as well as a reverberation enhancement system to improve the building for musical performances.  FOPAC modernized the bathrooms several years ago, and the Players raised money to reinforce the proscenium arch and replace the grid and counterweight rigging system on the drama stage.

As a result of these efforts, the 112-year old structure was sufficiently sound for most uses as a performing arts center.  However, the drama stage floor, which had not been upgraded since 1922, became significantly worn and bowed. Concerned about the integrity of the stage, the Concord Players had a stage floor analysis performed by D.M. Berg Consultants in June of 2004.  The structural engineer’s report noted a deficiency in the live-load bearing capacity required by the current Massachusetts building code. This condition made the stage unsuitable for use by groups with large numbers of performers, such as the Concord Orchestra Pops, the Acton Chorus, and large-scale dance productions. Several major musicals put on by the Players required special coverings or treatment to make it usable.  In order to make the stage safe for all of the productions that take place in 51 Walden, structural repair recommendations were made.

Concord architect Dan Broggi drew the plans for renovating the stage and green room, and a contract was awarded to Aberthaw Construction Company. During the summer of 2006, the contractor removed the floor surfaces, sub-flooring and support columns, and replaced them with a 3-part system on framing members recommended by D.M.Berg. Renovation of the stage floor necessarily impacted the surrounding spaces—the stage extension (thrust), green room, workshop, access stairs, stage rigging, bathrooms, etc.  Therefore, in addition to removing and rebuilding the stage, the green room underneath was rebuilt with support at load-bearing walls instead of the original support columns.  This allowed for much better use of the space where performers dress, put on makeup, and wait until they go on stage.  The project enabled ADA access to the green room. Wiring, plumbing and sprinkler systems were brought up to code and the new stage, which has a trap zone and paint trap, was constructed with a fire-rated sub-floor and finish.

The stage renovation project cost $239,092. Through private fundraising efforts which are still ongoing, FOPAC and the Concord Players have raised $84,000 to help pay for the project. FOPAC received $60,000 in Community Preservation funds in August of 2006, and has applied for another $60,000 for fiscal year 2007. The resident groups are collaborating to put on a concert performance of Pirates of Penzance in March of 2007, with proceeds to benefit the stage fund.

FOPAC has fulfilled its mission far beyond that which was envisioned by its founders. It would be difficult to find a town facility in Concord that has a more joyous public purpose than 51 Walden. Nearly 500 people come to the building each week for rehearsals and dance classes; this diverse group includes three-year-old ballerinas, ballroom dancers, and musicians and thespians of all ages.   Audiences for performances frequently number 300 or more.

The Concord Players mount three major productions a year with multiple performances of each play.   Recent seasons have included Sunday in the Park with George and musicals Chicago and 1776.  The Players’ staging of Little Women is regarded by many as Concord’s Passion Play. The Concord Orchestra plays a dozen concerts each season including a Family Concert and two Pops weekends. In October 2005, the orchestra performed Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto with legendary pianist Russell Sherman. The Concord Band recently commissioned a piece by James Curnow and premiered Israeli Folk Suite by Elliot Del Bargo.  These are extraordinary performances taking place in our small town, and they add immeasurably to our quality of life. Admission prices for most events are kept to a reasonable  $10 to $20 for adult tickets, with a discount for seniors and students.

Additionally, many events are held without charge to the public. On Veterans’ Day, FOPAC hosts a coffee at 51 Walden for participants in the town’s flag retirement ceremony, keeping alive the connection to the Concord Minutemen and the veterans who once used the building.  FOPAC has served coffee and donuts to the Drum and Bugle Corps of the Naval Academy, which travels to Concord from Annapolis to march in the Patriots Day Parade. The Concord Players staged a free performance of Our Town in 1985 in honor of the 350th birthday of the Town, and for years they have performed the play Welcome Winter, a mini version of Christmas Revels, in conjunction with Concord’s tree lighting ceremony. This event attracts many young families and is also free to the public.

In celebration and commemoration of the dedication of 51 Walden as Concord's Bicentennial Memorial in 1975, FOPAC, with the support of many local businesses, sponsored a 25th anniversary gala in April of 2000. Billed as a gift to the people of the Town of Concord, the celebration featured a performance by pianist and composer Paul Sullivan and the Atlantic Clarion Steel Band from Blue Hill, Maine.

The resident performing arts groups pay quarterly fees to FOPAC according to their use of time, space and utilities, which contributes to the expense of operating 51 Walden. In addition, FOPAC sponsors a Waltz Night and other special events to raise funds every year.  A loyal subscriber group contributes about $15,000 annually to the operation of 51 Walden, and many citizens donate labor and materials to keep the historic building and landscaping looking attractive.

An application to put 51 Walden on the National Register of Historic Buildings was initiated in 2003 by the FOPAC Board. In April of 2004, the Massachusetts Historical Commission determined that 51 Walden is eligible for such listing and the nomination was submitted on September 15, 2005. The Concord Historical Commission supports the National Register application, stating that 51 Walden is “a structure worth both preserving and recognizing as part of our town’s historical heritage.”