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Old Sturbridge Village
Take a Trip Back in Time to Old Sturbridge Village
By Diana Erbio
Why not take a trip back in time? The 1830s in New England can be found in Sturbridge, Mass., in the form of Old Sturbridge Village.
Old Sturbridge Village is an outdoor living history museum that first opened its doors in 1946. The Wells brothers had collected more antiques than they could house in one museum, so they bought 150 acres of farmland. They decided a working museum village would be the best way to display and share their extensive collection of furniture, tools and utensils from early rural New England. Many structures were moved to the site from various parts of New England, while others were authentically re-created specifically for Old Sturbridge Village.
Today there are 40 restored buildings filled with thousands of pieces from the past. Historically costumed staff members demonstrate and discuss life, work and celebrations of early-19th-century Americans.
The Village Common, with its meeting house, tavern and shops, is surrounded by farmhouses and mills. Grab a map and travel the country roads.
- Observe a blacksmith at work, then cross the road to the Bixby House to see how his family lived.
- Watch corn and rye ground into flour at the Gristmill, while its water wheels churn. Witness the operation of a water-powered up-and-down saw as logs are cut into boards and beams at the sawmill.
