Thanksgiving is the American holiday with the deepest roots in our history. In many ways, Thanksgiving celebrations and traditions today are remarkably similar to those of the early 19th century.

Today, of course, many New Englanders begin their Thanksgiving ritual with a football game. In the 19th century, most families went to church. Both then and now, families traveled to the homes of friends and relatives for a family feast. Celebrating with family, the ritual of preparing the meal, and the food itself have not changed very much.

On Thanksgiving Day, the Village re-creates for modern-day visitors the traditions of the holiday as it was celebrated in the early 19th century.

Highlights on Thanksgiving Day include hearth cooking (see turkey roasted on a string (right) or done "to a turn" in a tin kitchen) in preparation for a mid-day meal, when a farm family gathers at the table to feast.

See what was on the menu for an early New England Thanksgiving dinner and learn about table manners of the period, and other customs -- a roll tucked inside the napkin? Meat pie and apple pie sharing a plate with turkey? Turnip sauce?! Stop in to the Small House and learn about Native American cooking.

Attend a re-created Thanksgiving Day service in the Center Meetinghouse and learn about why "giving thanks" on this day was so important to early New Englanders, and why this holiday was held in higher esteem than many others, even Christmas or Easter.

Cheer on the Village menfolk as they engage in an after-dinner shooting match (left) with blackpowder muskets and a paper target.

Meet Lydia Maria Child, important in the period for many good works, but remembered today most widely for her poem recounting a Thanksgiving, "Over the river and through the wood..."

See a detailed listing of the day's events and activities.



Thanksgiving Day at Old Sturbridge Village is sponsored by Ocean Spray.