Once described in a 1950 article as "The Town That Wants to Be Out of Date," Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts is a lovingly recreated village of early 19th century New England. You'll be whisked back to the dawn of modern commerce and experience what life was like in a typical New England Village of that time.
This is the second part in the series of popular attractions for New England vacations with a historical theme. Others in the series are Plymouth Plantation, Mayflower II, and Mystic Seaport.
Old Sturbridge Village opened to the public in 1946 and received 5,000 visitors in its first year of operation. Today nearly half a million visitors a year experience the authentic buildings and wonderful collections of artifacts on display.
Located 60 miles west of Boston off exit 9 on Route 90, Sturbridge Village is set among 200 acres of rural Central Massachusetts.
Since opening nearly 60 years ago the village has survived a destructive hurricane, flooding, and the occasional fire - look for the high water mark notched on the Gristmill on the millpond from Hurricane Diane.
Where Plymouth Plantation focuses on the early years of settlement in the region, Old Sturbridge Village covers the beginning of prosperity, and a more sophisticated existence built around the emerging commerce of 1830s America.
A word about the buildings?
Many of the structures are original and moved here from villages in Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Reconstructed and restored with painstaking care they tingle your senses with their rustic charm, and simple designs.
Unpaved country roads lead you around the common and to outlying areas of inviting barns and craftsmen establishments, such as the shoe and tin shops. Here you'll see and talk to role-playing 19th century craftsmen. Marvel as they skillfully produce goods using only the tools and resources available in the 1830s.
Both a museum and educational resource, Old Sturbridge Village is primarily a place to explore for all ages. The centerpiece is the recreated New England town and outlying areas containing more than 40 buildings to visit, experience, and enjoy.
Sturbridge Village contains both residential homes, as well as a bank, printing office, and stores and shops. You'll learn why banks didn't do personal loans, but who did. And why the buildings called Meetinghouses, weren't called churches - even though each Sunday most villagers spent four hours worshipping in them.
Pay a call on the Salem household in their handsome Towne House, and then stop by and have tea at the Parsonage before visiting the Fenno and Fitch dwellings. These residential homes on the common in Sturbridge Village are full of surprises and homely comforts.
And if you need to stop for refreshment, Sturbridge Village has plenty of picnic areas if you've brought your own food, or you can purchase hot and cold fare at Bullard Tavern, or treats at Little Cakes. Options to eat change with the seasons so be sure to check the guide the day you visit.
The vision of the original founders of Old Sturbridge Village was for a place to learn by doing and direct experience ? an active outdoors museum. I've always found Sturbridge Village a welcome change of pace and reminder that quality of life has nothing to do with a car or the latest wide screen TV.
Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours at Old Sturbridge Village. Remember a ticket to Sturbridge Village is good for two days within a 10-day period. For more information on schedule, events, and ticket prices, check out the official web site at: www.osv.org.
Cliff Calderwood is the owner and contributing writer of the New England vacations guide . You can read more about Old Sturbridge Village and get a free travel report at his New England vacation site.
Oregon's Rogue River is one of the nation's most beautiful.... Read More
How to get the most out of your trekking poles... Read More
Take a captivating trip through the Cape Cod National Seashore... Read More
Touted as one of the world's fifty destinations of a... Read More
You aren't lightweight backpacking if you are carrying twenty-five pounds... Read More
Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest mountain, after Kilimanjaro. It... Read More
Recently I attended a Boy Scout Leader Roundtable meeting where... Read More
It is the downhill ski racing competition of the winter... Read More
Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV vacation. It... Read More
Drive along one of South Africa's scenic strips and you... Read More
A canoe trip is a great way to appreciate Nature!A... Read More
White-water rafting can be one of the most exhilarating experiences... Read More
"Do you know about Wal-Mart camping?" We didn't know, but... Read More
This truly beautiful country at the southern tip of dark... Read More
As the warmer weather approaches, we look forward to another... Read More
Live your golfing dreams on an Ireland golf vacation.The K... Read More
Visitors to Hawaii frequently see dolphins from shore or on... Read More
Inflatable fishing boats are great yacht tenders/camping boats that are... Read More
Are your kids begging you to take them camping, but... Read More
An African honeymoon safari is the perfect way to celebrate... Read More
Malaria is endemic to most of the areas in Africa... Read More
There are many manufacturers of inflatable boats on the market... Read More
Santa Cruz Church, the church of the holy cross, was... Read More
The dictionary defines a tent as 'a portable shelter usually... Read More
For the 92nd time, the Tour de France has started.... Read More
Knowing a few edible wild plants can make your next... Read More
The Cairns Fishing Adventure A Great Australia Road TripYou love... Read More
If you love the thrill and adventure of kayak travel,... Read More
There are two types of used inflatable boats for sale... Read More
WHAT TO SEE, TO DO AND WHERE: Mount McKinley is... Read More
A camping gear checklist is an important tool to help... Read More
Rafting through the Grand Canyon is the experience of a... Read More
River rafting is a major attraction in California. The most... Read More
River rafting is a major attraction in California. The most... Read More
Tamil Nadu is a delightful anachronism. With a rich culture... Read More
My favorite outdoor related quote comes from John Muir, the... Read More
Backpacking is a great way to escape the rat race... Read More
Mount Rainier National Park is the most popular park in... Read More
Touted as one of the world's fifty destinations of a... Read More
Have you ever gone solo backpacking? If you have, you'll... Read More
Costa Rica's mountainous topography and copious rainfall are both responsible... Read More
The great state of Washington offers some of the best... Read More
Santa Cruz Church, the church of the holy cross, was... Read More
Sun, Sand and Surf ? an apt description for Goa?... Read More
I stood at the observation point on the balcony at... Read More
If you love the thrill and adventure of kayak travel,... Read More
Sun, Sand and Surf ? an apt description for Goa?... Read More
Mount Sunflower, Kansas. Ebright Azimuth, Delaware. Hawkeye Point, Iowa. Hoosier... Read More
One morning in mid summer, I headed out for some... Read More
White-water rafting can be one of the most exhilarating experiences... Read More
Barnegat Light, NJ is the home to "Old Barney" a... Read More
TENT CAREYou should seal all floor seams and those seams... Read More
The dictionary defines a tent as 'a portable shelter usually... Read More
You CAN grab something to eat, enjoy every bite, AND... Read More
Pictures of a massive dead Great White shark on the... Read More
Table Mountain sheltered the original Cape explorers in the 16th... Read More
We love spending time outdoors and if you are expecting... Read More
Holidays in India, awesome in her size and diversity. This... Read More
Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest and one of the deepest... Read More
Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower II ship are major attractions... Read More
Zambia is Africa's best kept secret as far as safaris... Read More
To get the most out of a wildebeest migration safari... Read More
Why should you use hiking poles is perhaps the first... Read More
A meal in Greece is highlighted with a selection of... Read More
Six different islands in Hawaii are open to tourism. Most... Read More
The last thing you want on an African safari is... Read More
Outdoors |