I wrote to Concord ahead of time and received a warm welcome via email and also in-person on the day of the visit. Rich Ailes travelled with me and was a great help in introducing me to Friends there. Upon arrival we were given a quick update on the building and grounds and all the different improvements that have been completed as well as those that still need attention and additional funding.
A lot of care and funds have gone into updating the facilities to make them more suitable for the on-site Montessori School. The school serves approximately 20 children (3-6 years old) and has a lovely, well organized welcoming space, that has been designed with care and attention to the children’s individual needs. More on that later. Rich and I attended the Meeting for Worship with about half a dozen other Friends and attenders. The messages were deep and welcoming. There is a young family that attends now and brings their children (who can access the outside playground and school classroom as needed. The Meetinghouse space is really large with an upper gallery. The other side of the Meeting space (on the other side of the wooden partitions) now accommodates a kitchen, bathrooms and the large school classroom. This Meeting was once the center of Friends activity in the area and has been well preserved and cared for.