| Old Sturbridge Village has both feet | | | | opportunity to discuss with them their |
| planted firmly in 19th century New | | | | skill and work and what they think about |
| England. You'll experience the dawn of | | | | life - just remember their response will |
| prosperity and modern commerce and what | | | | be from a 19th century viewpoint. |
| life was like in a typical New England | | | | Both a museum and educational resource, |
| village of the time. Role playing staff | | | | Old Sturbridge Village is primarily a |
| in period costumes recreate authentic | | | | place to explore for all ages. The |
| discussions, and demonstrations of | | | | centerpiece is the recreated New England |
| thoughts and skills, found during this | | | | town and outlying areas containing more |
| exciting era in American history. | | | | than 40 buildings to visit, experience, |
| Once described in a 1950 article as "The | | | | and enjoy. |
| Town That Wants to Be Out of Date," Old | | | | Sturbridge Village contains residential |
| Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, | | | | homes, a printing office, a bank, and |
| Massachusetts is a lovingly recreated | | | | stores and shops. You'll learn why |
| village of early 19th century New | | | | banks didn't do personal loans in those |
| England. The Village opened to the | | | | days - but who did. And why the |
| public in 1946 and received 5,000 | | | | buildings called Meetinghouses, weren't |
| visitors in its first year of operation. | | | | called churches - even though each |
| Today nearly half a million visitors a | | | | Sunday most villagers spent four hours |
| year experience the authentic buildings | | | | worshipping in them. |
| and wonderful collections of artifacts | | | | Stop by the Salem household in their |
| on display. | | | | handsome Towne House, and then visit and |
| OSV has been a survivor. New England | | | | have tea at the Parsonage before calling |
| weather and accidents can be destructive | | | | on the Fenno and Fitch dwellings. These |
| to outdoor museums and Old Sturbridge | | | | residential homes on the common in |
| Village has seen blizzards, hurricanes, | | | | Sturbridge Village are full of surprises |
| flooding, and the occasional fire. Look | | | | and homely comforts. And they're always |
| for the high water mark notched on | | | | open and welcoming to you. |
| Gristmill on the millpond from Hurricane | | | | And if you need to stop for refreshment, |
| Diane. | | | | Sturbridge Village has plenty of picnic |
| Located 60 miles west of Boston off exit | | | | areas if you've brought your own food, |
| 9 on Route 90, Sturbridge Village is set | | | | or you can purchase hot and cold fare at |
| among 200 acres of rural Central | | | | Bullard Tavern, or treats at Little |
| Massachusetts. Many of the structures | | | | Cakes. Options to eat change with the |
| are original and moved here from | | | | seasons so be sure to check the guide |
| villages in Vermont, Connecticut, and | | | | the day you visit. |
| Massachusetts. Reconstructed and | | | | The vision of the original founders of |
| restored with painstaking care they | | | | Old Sturbridge Village was for a place |
| tingle your senses with their rustic | | | | to learn by doing and direct experience |
| charm, and simple Yankee designs. | | | | - an active outdoors museum. I've always |
| Unpaved country roads lead you around | | | | found Sturbridge Village a welcome |
| the common and to outlying areas of | | | | change of pace and reminder that quality |
| inviting barns and craftsmen | | | | of life has nothing to do with the |
| establishments, such as the shoe and tin | | | | latest wide screen TV or iPod. |
| shops. Here you'll see and talk to | | | | Plan to spend at least 3-4 enjoyable |
| role-playing 19th century craftsmen. | | | | hours at Old Sturbridge Village. |
| Marvel as they skillfully produce goods | | | | Remember a ticket to Sturbridge Village |
| using only the tools and resources | | | | is good for two days within a 10-day |
| available in the 1830s. Take the | | | | period. |