Daily events are subject to change.
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Welcome to Old Sturbridge Village, a recreated 1830s rural New England town! Fall is an exciting time here. See if you can spot marigolds, autumn crocuses, and dahlias in bloom. See our Blacksmith, Potter, and Tinners at work, and food being prepared by an open hearth with the remains of last year’s harvest, anxiously awaiting the autumn harvest. Our farmers and gardeners are beginning to bring in the harvest, and of course, our farm animals always enjoy a visitor too. Enjoy your visit!
Please note: due to hunting season, the Woodland Walk (#44) and Pasture Walk (#46) are closed.
OSV Thanksgiving Programming
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Preparing Food for the Thanksgiving Table- Watch the meal preparation and learn more about Thanksgiving food traditions enjoyed by rural New England farming families
(at the Freeman Farmhouse, #34).
9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Preparing Food for the Thanksgiving Table: Visit the Bixby House and talk
with interpreters cooking and baking special foods
to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday
(at the Bixby House, #36).
1:00 p.m. A Farm Family Sits Down for Dinner:
Visit the farmhouse as an 1830’s family and friends gather and enjoy the bounty of the Thanksgiving meal together (at the Freeman Farmhouse, #34).
11:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. We Gather Together:
The Thanksgiving Basket and Celebrating Thanksgiving in early New England (in the Richardson House,
Building #12).
2:00 p.m. Tea with Thanksgiving Visitors: Stop by the home of the mechanic to learn how guests were welcomed with tea and light refreshments while traveling during the proclaimed holiday (at the Fitch House, #20).
Veterans Day Programming
10:00 a.m. Patriotic Music at the Tavern:
Hear a sample of 1830s martial music
(at the Bullard Tavern, Building #3).
11:00 a.m. Meet the Militia Captain: Meet with our Militia Captain to learn about early 19th-Century military practices (at the Bullard Tavern, building #3).
1:30 p.m. Hail the Ladies of Massachusetts: Learn about the campaign led by Sarah Josepha Hale regarding the completion of the Bunker Hill Monument (At the Richardson House, Building #12).
Daily Activities
10:30 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. A Guided Tour of the Salem
Towne House: Tour the home of a prosperous farmer with a costumed educator (meets in the hallway of the Salem Towne House, Building #15).
11:30 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. OSV Dancers: Watch the Old Sturbridge Village Dancers demonstrate dancing in the 1830s
(at the Bullard Tavern Great Room, Building #3).
11:30 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. Meet a 19th Century Schoolmistress: Learn about school in the 1830s (in the District School, Building #31).
3:00 p.m. Read Me a Story: A read-aloud story for children
(in the Richardson House, Building #12).
Farm
3:00 p.m. Milking Demonstration at the Freeman Farm, #34).
Music Performances.
11:00 a.m. A Musical Sampler: Hear a selection of early 19th century martial and social music (in the Center Meetinghouse, Building #6).
3:30 p.m. Musical Highlights, the “Hurdy Gurdy”:
Listen to this strange and unusual instrument
(at the Bullard Tavern, Building #3).
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. – 3:00 p.m.
Hungry? Stop by lunch or a late snack.
Miner Grant Store & Bake Shop (Building #18)
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, 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. – 4:30 p.m. Take home a traditional rural New England treasure or unique gift. Village-made crafts and kits, home décor, books, and more await!
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).
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 Collection (in the Dennison Building, #27).