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