Daily events are subject to change.
Welcome to Old Sturbridge Village, a recreated 1830s rural New England town! Come join us today, as we celebrate Thanksgiving at OSV! Thanksgiving was not yet a national holiday in the 1830s; instead the date was announced yearly by the Governor, urging people to observe “a day of public thanksgiving and praise”. Explore some of our households as our costumed educators prepare and sit down to Thanksgiving dinner. Enjoy your visit!
Please note Kidstory is closed today due to preparation for our Christmas by Candlelight program.
Celebrating Thanksgiving
9:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Preparing Thanksgiving Dinner at the Freeman Farmhouse: Thanksgiving was the biggest holiday of the year in the 1830s. Visit while a farm family finishes preparing the seasons bounty for the table (Building #36).
9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Preparing Thanksgiving Dinner at the Fitch House: Thanksgiving was a joyous occasion for farmers and mechanic alike. Stop by while this Center Village Family prepares for the holiday (Building #21).
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. & 1:30-3:00 p.m. Turkey Shoot:
While beginning to fall out of favor by the 1830s, competitive turkey shoots were still fairly common New England events in the fall and early winter. Participants would pay cash to shoot at nearly impossible ranges to try to win their own bird. Watch costumed historians recreate one of these events with replica firearms of the period (behind the Cabinetmaking Shop, Building #8).
1:00 p.m. A Farm Family Sits Down to Thanksgiving Dinner at the Freeman Farmhouse (Building #36).
1:30 p.m. A Mechanic’s Family Sits Down to Thanksgiving Dinner at the Fitch House (Building #21).
Farm
10:00 a.m. Meet the Calf (at the Freeman Farm, Building #36).
Performances
10:30 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. A Reading of a letter by 19th Century Activist Sarah Grimke: Her response to a letter about women speaking publicly (in the Richardson House, Building #13).
11:30 a.m. & 3:00 p.m. Read Me A Story: A read-aloud story for Children (in the Richardson House, Building #13).
Music Performances
10:00 a.m. Parlor Music: Listen to a selection of parlor songs (at the Fitch House, Building #21).
11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. Musical Highlights, The Rocking Melodeon: Listen to a selection of songs on one of the most unusual instruments of the 19th century. Learn about the people that would have played on this instrument, and how it works at the Richardson House, (Building #13).
3:00 p.m. Musical Highlights, The Guitar: Learn about the guitar in New England, and hear a sample of music performed on a 19th-century style guitar at the Fitch House (Building #21).
Trades
Tin Shop (Building #15) Experience our Tinners creating authentic reproductions of household items made from tinned sheet iron.
Printing Office (Building #18) Small printing offices often worked for publishers in Philadelphia, New York, or Boston, printing and binding books for sale anywhere in New England. They often also did smaller printing jobs for local people.
The Carryall (weather permitting)
We offer a horse-drawn carryall ride included with the price of admission. From 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. you can board behind the Bullard Tavern (#3) or in front of the Blacksmith Shop (#39) about every 40 minutes for a ride around the Mill Pond. There is no carryall operating outside of these times.
Dining & Shopping
Bullard Café (Building #3) (on the Ground Floor)
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. A variety of lunch options and beverages.
Miner Grant Store & Bake Shop (Building #19)
9:30 a.m. – 4:00 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!
Ox & Yoke Mercantile (Building #1)
10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Take home a traditional rural New England treasure or locally made gift. Village-made crafts and kits, home décor, books, and more await! We stay open a bit later than the rest of the Village.
The Environmental Point of View
River Walk (#50) Best views of the Wight Dam and a peaceful setting to enjoy the Quinebaug River.
Please note: due to hunting season, the Woodland Walk (#47)
and Pasture Walk (#49) are closed.
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).