Day Trip to Sturbridge, Massachusetts

When you think of Sturbridge you think of history and the Old Sturbridge Village. When you visit Sturbridge you will want to visit Sturbridge Village because frankly, there isn’t much else to do in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. The Village is well worth the day trip though.

“Old Sturbridge Village is a “must-see” destination to experience early New England life from 1790-1840. One of the country’s largest living history museums, OSV has a large staff of historians in costume, 59 historic buildings on 200 acres, three authentic water-powered mills and two covered bridges. Visitors can ride in a stagecoach, view antiques, heirloom gardens, meet the farm animals, and take part in hands-on crafts year-round.”

Old Sturbridge Village, sitting on 153 acres, that is a “live” 19th century New England village where the past comes alive. You feel like you are stepping back in time and you are the outsider. It feels like the people never left this village and are somehow protected within it’s walls.

Old Sturbridge Village Town Green, Photo by Sturbridgevillage.com

You will find buildings, stores, and houses surrounding the outer parameter of the village with the green in the middle. Those buildings and stores include: the Center Meetinghouse, The bank, Fitch House, Fenno House, Law Office, Knight Store, Parsonage, Shoe Shop, Butlard, Tavern, Grant Store, Printing Office, Friends Meetinghouse, and Towne House.

In the countryside area you will find the Cooper Shop, Butler, Powder House, District School,  Bixby House, Carding Mill, Gristmill, Sawmill, and Blacksmith Shop.

Old Sturbridge Village Map, Photo from Sturbridgevillage.ocm

If you are lucky you might be able to see some special activities going on like sheep sheering or an 1830s Independence Day Celebration.

There are events for every season (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, and plenty of daily events as well.

Old Sturbridge Village Independence Day Celebration, Photo by Sturbridgevillage.com

Old Sturbridge Village is open daily 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. seven days a week. Admission: $20; seniors, $18; children 3-17, $7; children under 3, free. For information: 1-800-733-1830.

If you go to Sturbridge Village during a special holiday or event you could visit the Village in the morning and then have dinner or listen to some music on the green in the afternoon or evening. Sturbridge Commons is the center of town and they have a green where the locals gather for activities.

We attended the Sturbridge Commons Feast and Fire event on Saturday, July 3, 2010. This was their first year for the event. It felt like Anytown USA with picnic fare of hotdogs, hamburgers, potato salad, cold slaw, corn on the cob, and strawberry short cake. The Strawberry short cake was especially good because they used real thick, whipped cream and homemade short cakes. The smell of food cooking was in the air as the smoke rose over the food tent.

While we ate on the lawn (we brought our own lawn chairs) we watched square dancing and listening to a local songstress. We were thoroughly entertained.

There was an Civil War re-enactment camp and fun things for the kids to do like sack races and vendor tents with other activities designed for families.

Sturbridge Commons Feast and Fire Civil War Re-enactment

This event was well-organized although we did stand in the food line for almost an hour. I am sure that next year they will either have two food tents or more workers with two food lines. We didn’t care though because the square dancing kept us entertained and we were there to enjoy the afternoon. We never did see Clam Fritter although there were mentioned in the flyer and we were really looking forward to having some. Beer was also available. It was surprising to us how lax Massachusetts is in their restrictions on beer consumption. Anyone of age could buy beer and take it anywhere. Here in Connecticut an individual must be confined to a tent area.

Sturbridge Commons Feast

In the evening they had a bonfire behind the Publick house. While we didn’t stay for that I am sure it was a site to see. You can see a picture below of how they stacked the wood up nice and neat and it was in a large, open field with a fire truck ready in case something happened.

Add this event to you calendar for next July if you plan on visiting Sturbridge and make it a dual day trip event.

Sturbridge