Field Trips
With the ever-changing nature of COVID-19 we have made the decision to reduce our field trip experiences. The “Option 1: Self-guided Visit” is the only field trip program available at this time. Please fill out the reservation form here and include how many in your party are students, teachers, or parent chaperones. Please check our website regularly for updated information and please contact us at osved@osv.org for additional questions. Thank you.
Option 1: Self-guided Visit
School, Scout, and youth groups are invited to explore Old Sturbridge Village’s 200 acres and discover New England history. Whether your group is visiting for 3 hours or all day, curate your Village experience on this self-guided visit.
3rd–8th grade groups have the option to use our themed Make History Guides to explore the Village. Themes include Amazing Agriculture, Cooking and Eating, and Making It. Printed Make History Guides are available for free upon arrival at the museum. You can also download the guides below (for best results print double-sided on 8 1/2″ x 14″ paper)
Make History – Amazing Agriculture
Make History – Cooking and Eating
Recommended for K through 12th grades.
Students………………………………………………$10
Chaperones…………………………………………$15
Teacher/Youth Group Leader…………..FREE
* Minimum total fee of $100 required to qualify for the Student group rate of $10.
We welcome chaperones but ask that you please share this guide with all teachers chaperones attending the field trip.
Option 2: Hands-On Workshop
In addition to exploring Old Sturbridge Village, students and youth group members can participate in hands-on workshops in our Museum Education Center. Each class will participate in a 50-minute workshop focused on one of the following themes: cooking, agriculture, textiles, or printing. Each theme allows them to try out some of the activities they’ll see costumed historians doing in the Village. Through inquiry and analysis, students make connections and comparisons to life today.
Recommended for 1st through 12th grades. Minimum of 10 students.
Students…………………………………………….$15
Chaperones……………………………………….$15
Teacher/Youth Group Leader…………FREE
* Minimum total fee of $150 required
We welcome chaperones but ask that you please share this guide with all teachers chaperones attending the field trip.
Option 3: Guided Tour
This option is great for groups preferring a more structured tour experience. Classes will be divided in half to tour the Village with a museum educator. Tours are 2 hours and themes include trades and households, early industry, or agriculture. When booking tours, please include your focus of choice in the notes section.
Recommended for 3rd through 12th grades.
Students…………………………………………….$20
Chaperones……………………………………….$15
Teacher/Youth Group Leader………..FREE
* Minimum total fee of $200 required
We welcome chaperones but ask that you please share this guide with all teachers chaperones attending the field trip.
Option 4: Education Stage Show
These programs take place at 11:00 am in the Stephen M. Brewer Theater in our Visitor Center at the Main Entrance.
Looking for a program for larger groups of students? School, Scout, and youth groups, as well as their chaperones, are invited to a 45-minute experience in our theater led by expert Old Sturbridge Village historians and educators. Designed for groups of 50 or more, this program focuses on connecting science and social studies curriculum standards through an interactive, themed stage show. Delve into the science of historic food preservation including salting, drying, brining, and smoking. Part show-and-tell and part learning laboratory, this program includes demonstrations, audience participation, and a whole lot of fun!
Recommended for 3rd through 5th grades.
This program is designed for large groups and requires a minimum of 50 students.
Teacher/Youth Group Leader………………..FREE
Chaperones……………………………………………….$15
Students…………………………………………………….$12
* Minimum total fee of $600 required
We welcome chaperones but ask that you please share this guide with all teachers chaperones attending the field trip.
Option 5: Town Meeting
In this civics-focused program, students participate in a mock town meeting where they learn how local government functions. The program explores the essential question “How should our town care for its poorest citizens?” At the start of the trip, students begin with a short 15-minute introduction at the Museum Education Center and then enter the museum to interview Villagers and gather different points of view. The program concludes in the Center Meetinghouse where students participate in a 45 minute Town Meeting lead by a costumed interpreter to debate and vote on the issue. This interactive program encourages students to think critically, form arguments, and back up their opinions using historical information. Please note: Times selected are for concluding Town Meeting.
This program requires pre-visit work to be done in class ahead of your trip. Click here to download pre-visit materials.
Recommended for 6th through 12th grades. Minimum of 25 students.
Students……………………………………………..$12
Chaperones………………………………………..$15
Teacher/Youth Group Leader………….FREE
* Minimum total fee of $300 required
We welcome chaperones but ask that you please share this guide with all teachers chaperones attending the field trip.