Daily events are subject to change.
Saturday, June 3, 2023
Please note Kidstory will be closed today. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Welcome to Old Sturbridge Village, a recreated 1830s rural New England town! Today we are celebrating the opening of the Allen Piggery! Farmers built piggeries, or hog houses, as dedicated and efficient spaces in which to raise swine. We invite you to learn more about this topic today. Around the Village our artisans are making handcrafted items from iron, tin plate, clay, leather, and wood. Watch as food is prepared by an open hearth with the remains of last year’s harvest. Our farmers and gardeners are industriously working in their respective areas and of course, our farm animals, including newborn lambs, always enjoy a visitor too. Enjoy your visit!
Daily Activities
Throughout the Day: Creative Arts – “Watercolor Prints” Watch as engraved prints of the “Prodigal Son with Pigs” are colored using historical water color practices (at the Richardson House, Building #12).
10:15 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Introducing the Allen Piggery:Come celebrate OSV’s newest old building! Raising and breeding pigs is not an easy job. Learn how some humble farmers were investing in a specific building for the care of these terrific animals (Building #35).
10:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. A Guided Tour of the Salem Towne House: Tour a prosperous farmer’s home with a costumed educator (meets in the hallway in the Salem Towne House, Building #15).
11:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. Read Me a Story: A “pig tale” for young children (in the Gebhardt Performance Barn, Building #13).
12:00 p.m. A Reading of Floral Poetry: Learn the language of flowers
(in the Salem Towne House Garden, #15).
3:30 p.m. Nature Myths: Hear fanciful stories about how things came to be (in the Salem Towne House Garden, #15).
Music Performances
2:00 p.m. Parlor Music: Listen to a selection of parlor songs at the Fitch House, Building #20.
Trades
Blacksmith Shop (Building #37) Our smiths are hard at work making tools as well as more typical items.
Pottery Shop and Kiln (Building #32) Explore the world of pottery and see vessels being made at the potter’s wheel.
Households
Small House (Building #4) Costumed interpreters are here to help you understand the past as it relates to the present. Make this your first stop to say “good day” and orient yourself to our 1830s Village.
Bixby House (Building #36) The Bixbys, like many families, earned their income from several different sources. Visit to learn about the work of braiding straw, sewing shoe uppers and dairying the women of this family did from home.
Community
Asa Knight Store (Building #10) Country stores brought in goods from all over the world, through seaports like Boston and Providence. They also bought locally produced goods such as butter, cheese, and handwork for sale in those urban commercial centers.
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 (#37) about every 20 minutes for a ride around the Mill Pond. There is no carryall operating outside of this time.
Dining & Shopping
Bullard Café (Building #3) (on the Ground Floor)
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. A variety of lunch options and beverages.
Miner Grant Store & Bake Shop (Building #18)
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!
Ox & Yoke Café (Building #1) 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Featuring scrumptious sweet and savory baked goods made right on-site, along with freshly ground coffee, beer and wine, maple water, and more. Enjoy pies, focaccia, cheesecake, or a “flight” of cookies!
Ox & Yoke Mercantile (Building #1)
10:00 a.m. – 5:30 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!
The Environmental Point of View
Woodland Walk (#44) A short hike along Pogus Brook to a wooded viewing platform.
Pasture Walk (#46) Takes you to the top of Powder House Hill, offering views of the pastured landscape.
River Walk (#47) Best views of the Wight Dam and a peaceful setting to enjoy the Quinebaug River.
Exhibitions
For the Purpose of Illumination: This new exhibit draws upon OSV’s large collection of lighting devices and prompts us to examine the impact that artificial lighting had in the early 19th century and continues to have on our lives today (in the Countryside Gallery, Building #38).
New England on Parade: Learn about the long history of parades in this region, and their many purposes. Visit both of the exhibitions’ locations in the Visitor Center (#2G), and Armed & Equipped Militia Exhibit (#25).
Needle and Thread: The Art and Skill of Clothing an Early 19th Century Family : highlights the responsibilities held by rural New England housewives in constructing new garments, patching, mending, and darning worn items, and repurposing old items into new wardrobes. The exhibit features over a dozen garments and accessories, along with other textile and clothing objects from the Old Sturbridge Village Museum Collections (in the Dennison Building, #27).