Daily events are subject to change.
Welcome to Old Sturbridge Village, a recreated 1830s rural New England town! Thank you for joining us for our biannual Muster Day. To supplement the meager armed forces, most early 19th-century men were required by law to serve in local militia units. Twice a year, these citizen-soldiers were “called to muster” for a day of training in their town. Old Sturbridge Village re-creates a typical Muster Day and celebrates our local military history. See a cannon demonstration, hear Fife and Drum music and see the militia practice target shooting. Enjoy your visit!
Muster Day Programming
9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Make a Paper Militia Hat
(in the Visitor Center, Building #3).
10:00 a.m. Militia Musters on the Common with Fife and Drum: Every spring, a town’s militia would gather to ensure that each man had the arms and equipment that were required by law for anyone serving in the militia. Spring musters were much smaller than the musters in the fall, but were still filled with marching and field music.
10:15 a.m. “What is Muster Day?” A citizens guide to the militia” (on the Common)
11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m. Marches & Quicksteps: Come learn about a selection of period marches and quicksteps
(in the Gebhardt Barn, Building #14).
11:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m. Cannon Demonstration: Hear the thunderous roar of our replica cannon and learn about the importance of artillery in early 19th century warfare
(at the Bixby Field, by Building #38).
11:30 a.m. & 3:00 p.m. Hear Fife & Drum Music: Field music played a critical roll during militia musters. While the music was partly used to notify the men when to assemble and keep them in step, it was also used to entertain the crowds (at the field across from the Shoe Shop, Building #10).
12:00 p.m. Learn to March! Kids can shoulder a toy musket and drill with members of the militia (on the Common).
1:15 p.m. “What is Muster Day?” A citizens guide to the militia” (on the Common)
2:00 p.m. The Militia Practices Target Shooting: Target practice was viewed to be just as essential to the training of soldiers in the period as was marching and other duties. Drill manuals of the period specified training soldiers to be comfortable shooting at targets that were up to 140 yards away (by the Cabinetmaking Shop, Building #8).
3:30 Fife and Drum: Old Sturbridge Academy students will debut their first fife and drum performance! Listen to a set of historical fife and drum songs and solos. (At the field across from the Shoe Shop).
4:45 p.m. Flag Lowering with Fife and Drum (on the Common).
Mill Demonstrations
You may see demonstrations of logs milled into lumber at the Sawmill and grains ground into fine meal at the Gristmill.
10:00 a.m. Sawmill Demonstration (Building #43)
11:00 a.m. Gristmill Demonstration (Building #42)
1:00 p.m. Sawmill Demonstration (Building #43)
2:00 p.m. Gristmill Demonstration (Building #42)
3:00 p.m. Sawmill Demonstration (Building #43)
Dining & Shopping
Oliver Wight Café (Building #1)
(in the Oliver Wight Tavern Lobby)
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. pastries & beverages
Bullard Café (Building #3) (on the Ground Floor)
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. sandwiches and beverages.
Miner Grant Store & Bake Shop (Building #19)
9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Stop in to buy our famous chocolate chip cookies, Joe Frogger cookies, and treats. Shop for Village-made wares, heirloom seeds, historical children’s toys and gifts, too!
New England on Parade
Learn about the long history of parades in this region, and their many purposes. Visit all three of the exhibitions’ locations in the Visitor Center (#2C), Countryside Gallery (#40), and Armed & Equipped Militia Exhibit (#26).
The Environmental Point of View
Woodland Walk (#47) CLOSED
Pasture Walk (#49) CLOSED
River Walk (#50) Best views of the Wight Dam and a peaceful setting to enjoy the Quinebaug River.
Upgrade your tickets to a year-long Membership!
Save your receipt and within 30 days you can apply daytime admission tickets towards a membership. A Family Membership starts at just $105 and is valid for a full year! For more info visit www.osv.org