Built in 1829 as a summer house by the Coolidge family, the house was bought by Emerson as a family residence in July 1835. The house was a center for meetings of Emerson and his friends, and still contains original furniture and Emerson's memorabilia. It was here that Emerson wrote his famous essays "The American Scholar" and "Self Reliance;" here that he entertained Bronson and Louisa May Alcott, Margaret Fuller, Henry David Thoreau, and many others.

"Bush" is still owned by the Emerson family, which has opened it to visitors as a private museum. It is much the same as when the Emerson family lived in it. Thirty-minute tours of the home and gardens are available. The Emerson House is open from late April to late October, Thursday-Sunday.