Old Sturbridge Village A Living Museum

Old Sturbridge Village is well known throughout New England.  It's a recreation of village life in the early 18th century.

Bill and I actually took these first pictures the day before our visit.  We had to scope the place out.  It was colf and windy and every kid within 200 miles was running amok.   It was a scary thought to return.  But return we did.
















This large building is the Oliver Wight Tavern.  He was the original land holder for the village which was originally a farm.  Most of the land was sold off but this portion was established as a site where the old lifestyle could be experienced.  With the exception of one building all the building in the Village are original construction.  Many were on the property but most were moved in from elsewhere in the New England States.
















We returned the next day with Randy, Sherry and Larry.  It was early, no kids, and lots of sunshine.  We were all set to explore.

There were beautiful flowers everywhere.  Everything was blooming.

The stroll down the path to the Village was posted with these small signs.

 Life inside the "small house".

The Friends Meeting House.  Pretty self explanatory.

Inside the less formal meeting house.



Further along the path we came to the Center Meeting House.  A more formal place to meet.  More official business took place here.  Built in Sturbridge in 1832 and moved to the Village in 1947.  It was also used for Sunday services.

Inside the Town Meeting House.

Next door to the Meeting House/Church is the Graveyard.  In early New England most people were buried next to this building in town.  This particular graveyard was re-created.  "Passing stranger cast an eye, As you are now, so once was I, As I am now, so you shall be, Prepare for death and follow me"  This is a traditional epitaph.

The local five and dime...only not that high priced back then.  Called the Knight's Store it was loaded with everything a villager could need.

We mozied over to the shoemaker's shop.  These two men were busy busy making shoes.

Of course I just had to try one on.  This one was a bit too big but dang it was unbelievably uncomfortable.  I don't think I could last a day in a pair of them.

I do believe I've actually located Mary's lamb.  Now where's Mary?

And what's a Village without the local lawyers office.  Notice how lacking in grandiose it is...apparently suing wasn't such a mainstay of Village life.

The Tin Shop was interesting.

These tin lamps were super pricey in the gift shop....like a $100.  Usually they were painted black.

We strolled up and around a path that took us to a Mill Pond.  This waterfall was used to power the wheels in the saw mill and grist mill and any other mill they wanted.

I love covered bridges..reminds me of good times in Ohio.

Ah ha...a wheel...this one is the saw mill wheel.

There was also a mill I'd never heard of before.  A Carding Mill.  All the wool from shearing the sheep is pummeled and run through brushes that untangled wool fibers to prepared them for spinning into cloth.  The process is also used for cotton.

The Saw Mill

The Black Smith Shop.

This is the home lot of the Pliny Freeman farm, with dwelling house, barn, and other outbuildings, kitchen garden and farm fields.  Here you can see post and rail fences used to corral farm animals.  This farm and all it's buildings was moved from just a few miles away.

And of course what's a town without a Cooper Shop.  So what's a cooper?  He makes all containers that are round, barrels, bowls, tubs, etc. from wood.  The word "cooper" means "container".

Back down the path past the Freeman Farm we come to the Pottery Shop.  We found out that it was very common for each farmer to find a way to supplement the family's farm income.  So all these businesses we've seen today were not a primary income source but a supplement.  Things have sure changed.

The potter's kiln.

The school house and playground.  If the rope was there then the playground was open.  If not then go home and study or do chores.

Roasting pit next to the livestock barns.

From the Carding Mill to the spinning wheel.

This got a laugh.  A three seater, papa, mama and baby.

Town Bank

Town Barn, next to the Town House.  A grand home and barn.  Not everyone lived in one of these.  Most people lived in that first "small house" at the beginning of our walk.

Printer's Shop.  Home of the local paper with all the latest news from last month.

The Cider Mill, conveniently close to that big house and barn.

This little guy definitely had something to tell us but we had a mis-communication due to language difference.

The Textile Factory where spun wool or cotton is made into cloth.



The Glass Makers House.

It was a full morning and the crazy school kids were overrunning the Village so we all agreed  it was time to leave.  We'd seen what we'd come to see.  Lunch time.

Soon we will head southeast to Cape Cod.  Lobster, crab, fish....oh yummmm.

Thanks for visiting.  Come back soon.