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| That Wants to Be Out of Date," Old Sturbridge | | | | learn why banks didn't do personal loans in those |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