50th Anniversary Events

Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 6-7:45pm: Harvesting the Spirit of Transcendentalism in Education Today.

Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.
— Henry David Thoreau

Transcendentalism broke upon the American scene in the 1830s and 40s, led primarily by women and men in Concord, Boston and beyond: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, Henry David Thoreau, Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, Bronson Alcott, and others. Transcendentalism was a literary, philosophical, spiritual, and reform-minded movement that challenged the materialism of the day and contributed to a range of radical reforms in religion, education, literature, science, and politics. 

Although they didn’t always agree with each other, the Transcendentalists shared a passion for learning.  Their minds were curious, rigorous, far-reaching.  They wanted to grow spiritually and explore more deeply the world around them. There was a sense of shared excitement, a drive to learn and grow. They wanted that for others as well and had some ideas about how to reshape education towards that end.

Our panel of modern-day educators will reflect on their own teaching experiences within the broader context of Transcendentalism and this desire to reshape education. 

  • Can we find in our own schools some of the seeds they planted so long ago? 
  • Are Transcendentalist ideas on education still alive and well and growing today? 
  • Where can we locate their educational philosophies — innovation, active learning, experiential education, learning outdoors in nature, student-centered learning, new forms of adult education, learning by doing — in the best practices of teachers today?

These and other questions will be examined by our panelists:
* Rev. Jenny Rankin,
* early childhood educator Betsy Siebert,
* Fenn teacher Elise Mott, and
* Concord-Carlisle High School/Rivers and Revolutions teacher Tracie Dunn.

This event will take place in the Goodwin Forum at the Concord Free Public Library and is co-sponsored by the Transcendentalism Council. The evening is free of charge and open to the public. In addition to honoring CCC’s 50th anniversary, this event is part of the Concord250 celebrations.

Saturday, October 18, 6:30-10:30pm: CCC 50th Anniversary Gala

This special evening will take place at the Nashawtuc Country Club and feature:
* CCC co-founders Chris McVinney Gerzon and Deborah Begner sharing their memories of the early days of CCC; and
* Past Executive Director Pat Nelson and Jack Flynn, husband of former Executive Director Kathy Reticker, sharing their memories of their time at CCC, and current Executive Director Suzie Kornblum speaking on the next 50 years of CCC.

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