Sturbridge Village was not what I expected, it was better. Having grown up in the south western states I have had the pleasure of visiting many “ghost towns” over the years. My grandparents location made Old Tucson a favorite and probably ruined me for all other old west historical reenactments, perhaps, all recreations of the past. Expecting the level of entertainment offered to me by Old Tucson 50 years ago, Sturbridge Village went one better. In stead of a television/movie set action and limited actual history, SV offered a real world reenactment of the era that it portrays, including actors that were familiar with the subject matter that they were emulating. One could ask a question and get an actual factual response, unlike Old Tucson, the answers were thoughtful and full of history beyond, “John Wayne filmed here”.

Old Sturbridge Village showcases 40 antique buildings moved from throughout New England, each restored to show how they would have been furnished and used during the early 19th century

. The Oliver Wight Tavern is located at the entrance, just before entering the park.

The idea of purchasing a flag for the “Field of Flags”, located on the other side of the entry walkway from the Oliver Wight Tavern, is to honor a persons currently in active service or a veteran and the proceeds sponsor free entry for military members and their families, among other altruistic programs.  

There were only seven rows of flags the day that we visited.  We were informed that, in previous years, the field would be far fuller by this time of year. It was still amazing to see the support amid the COVID restrictions.  Interesting side note, the instructions for when to wear a mask during the tour were confusing at best.  They seemed straight forward until one tried to apply them to real world situations that included other patrons and their children.

Sturbridge Village BuildingsClick the “Learn More” buttons on each slide to be directed to the village website for an accurate history of the buildings in this slideshow.Bird’s eye view of villageView All BuildingsAsa Knight StoreLearn MoreSalem Town HouseLearn MorePrinting OfficeLearn MoreMiner Grant Store and BakeshopLearn MoreBullard TavernLearn MoreBlacksmith ShopLearn MoreBixby HouseLearn MoreVermont Covered BridgeLearn MorePsycho HouseJust checking to see if you are paying attention!Learn MoreTowne GardenLearn more
Previous
Next

While we were in the Towne Garden, I took advatage of the seat in the little gazebo.  Shortly after sitting down, my partner joined me.  We were enjoying a conversation about the gardens in front of us and the pond behind us, when we were joined by one of the actors.  She was an older lady dressed in 1850’s garb and immediately commenced to tell odd little fables.  A small crowd gathered in the little gazebo and it quickly became a standing room only situation.   We politely vacated shortly after her third story and continued on our walk about.

Quite a few of the live demonstrations were open and active and we enjoyed the Blacksmith and the Print shop, as well as, the straw weavers.  The Blacksmith was, by far, the most interesting to us.  Missy asked a lot of questions and the gentleman portraying the local farrier, shared his knowledge, as his assistant continued working on a thin iron rod.  

  It was unclear exactly what the Apprentice was working on, but it took awesome amounts of heating, pounding, shaping and bellow pumping. 

Physical limitations kept us from exploring the entire village.  We did enjoy what we were able to get to comfortably, taking into account the uneven terrain.  It was a mutual decision to ride the horse drawn cart tour, which had multiple rows of seats and travelled through the covered bridge and around the pond.

The driver was very entertaining as he shared stories about his personal past and history of the buildings that we rode by.  My favorite story was about the bridge.  It was blown off of its foundation in 1955 by hurricane Diane and blown quite a ways from its original location.  Taking a note from the forefathers, not having access to the most updated of equipment, relying on being clever, they raised the bridge that was laying at the edge of the pond,  onto blocks, then left it there until the winter.  During the wait a new foundation was built.  When the pond was fully frozen over, the bridge was dropped onto the slippery, solid surface and simply slid (try to say that 3 times, really fast) to its new location.  Amazing ingenuity makes for a great story.

Along the cart’s route we were treated to the exteriors of buildings that we would have missed on foot including; the Freeman farm and the saw mill.  We saw many of the “residents” in the middle of their daily activities.  There were women tending the garden and watering, people tending sheep at the Freeman Farm at the top of a hill and small groups of patrons with their children enjoying the displays of how it was “way back when”.

We were amazed by the temperament and beauty of the Belgian Horses.  Fabulous beasts!

Old legs and hips giving out, fannies smarting from sitting on wooden planks, it was time to find an exit.  The displays of antique wares were superior to many of the groupings that one views at popular tourist traps.  Old Sturbridge Village is a must see if you are in the area.  Just be prepared for hiking.

There is a hope that when we visit again that more of the interactive situations are functioning, that SV doesn’t have the same problem as many other employers, no workers.  The main building that housed the entry booth, information and an extensive array of antiques, was mostly closed.  The gift shop was also not open, much to my dismay, as the mother in-law would have appreciated an Old Sturbridge Village refrigerator magnet.

I urge anyone that has even a passing interest in this blog post to visit the OSV website for more information.

 

Old Sturbridge Village

Missy chose the perfect restaurant, again.  The Cedar Street Grill was located just a hop, skip and a jump (a few turns and  stop lights) away from the mock village in the very current,  modern town of Sturbridge.

This cool little restaurant had a limited, but interesting menu and the fact that we arrived mid-afternoon, there were very few other diners and a plethora of extra employees.  We were treated liked kings. 

Missy chose the Truffle Mushroom Mac & Cheese as an entrée, I went with the current trend and ordered  the Pan Seared Scallop Tacos.  The most amazing course was the “Crazy Dates” appetizer.  

Crazy Dates consist of goat cheese stuffed dates, wrapped in bacon and then drizzled with a balsamic reduction before serving.

Missy had already developed her own recipe for making the Crazy Dates at home.  I vowed to make some from the kitchen in Iowa when I returned.  The restaurant taco quest was at an end for now.  The scallop filled tacos were tasty and the texture decent, but by far, the Fried Green Tomato Tacos from the Wharf Southern Kitchen and Whiskey Bar earlier in the week took the prize for best tacos, so far.