Anyone who has read enough of my posts may have noticed that my wife and I are a bit obsessed with early American history and early American houses. Along with working on our place I read a ton of books and we love to go to old house museums. If you grew up in southern New England, you may have heard of Old Sturbridge Village. Its one of our favorites - Ive been going since I was a kid and we have been at least once a year for the last 5 years +. We had gone down that way this morning to pick up a custom footstool from an reproduction colonial furniture maker in Brookfield (mission fail but that's another story) and while there we took the kids to Sturbridge for a picnic and tour. It happened to be farm and field weekend so there was lots going on.
I didn't think to take a lot of inside pictures since we have been here a dozen times. All the houses are original 18th and early 19th century construction... most where moved from other locations and the village itself is a recreation of a typical New England town in 1830. Lots of hearths to be seen.. some really ornate early box stoves (many funcitnoal) as well. I didnt get many pictures but here is one in the bank that is double decker with greek columns making up the flue... really funky. Being farm weekend there was a lot of cooking ongoing - making butter and cheese, pies, preserves, pressing cider at the cidermill, etc. Here you can see my son by the big central chimney in the attic of an old saltbox house.
They also had most of the working buildings giving demos - the blacksmith, sawmill, cooper, etc. We didnt go by the kiln but you can see it up there on the hill. they fire it a couple times year for pottery (made in the building next door).
Lots of interactive history. I actually got my son to sit still for the flintlock musket demo. It was a 69 caliber butI didnt get a chance to get up close and ask if it was a Springfield Armory militia piece or a Brown Bess or what. He showed us the 12 count process for loading with paper cartridges. And the kids loved the hand well.
Here you can see the oxen parade (a lot of local farms showed up for the weekend I think) passing in front of the grandest house in town. Note the functional period exterior blinds on the windows (what are almost universally incorrectly called shutters today).
This house is one of our favorites - the Freeman Farmstead. My wife and I are seriously considering painting our house red like this. They are doing tons of renovations and updates all over. One of the buildings getting an all new real cedar shingle roof. /drool
They also have lots of historical displays. I took a bunch from the gun house. There are also building with lighting technology, building techniques, textiles, art, etc. If you are in or visiting eastern mass and interested in Early Americana, I highly recommend a visit.
Wow, cool pics. Old houses like that are neat to see and walk through. Lots of them down here in GA, they definitely have a certain feel to them
We went a few years ago and really enjoyed it. A great collection of classic New England structures. We are due for a return trip someday. Have you been to Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth NH for their candlelight stroll in December? It runs a few weekends, but it is excellent. They have character actors in the buildings, a bonfire to sit around, cider and cookies in a barn with fiddle music and a woodstove running.
We have been to Strawberry Banke twice, once when they where hosting Civil War reenactors.... never for the December event however. Have to see that someday. Strawberry Banke is another great place to see for sure.
Here is the link. They do open hearth cooking during the event. It takes you back to a simpler, non-commercialized holiday feel. A great diversion from the holiday crush. Back on track, hijack over and out. http://www.strawberybanke.org/index.php?option=com_content&id=61&Itemid=225
Haven't been there in probably 40 years. It was the standard field trip in 5th grade and I went there at least one other time. The only thing that I specifically remember was hearing all the clocks on the hour in the clock shop. I guess I should take my kids there now. Other cool place is Mystic Seaport in CT. Similar idea but but a focus on maritime NE.
Acadian Village in Maine is similar. Not as big/fancy though. Just down the road from my Dad's pole barn.
Harkin, have you ever made it up to Canterbury Shaker Village in NH? They do a pretty good tour about Shaker history.
Cool pics! My parents used to drag me along to things like that as a kid. I was always interested, but I think I got a little burnt out on it. Now they (and my brother and sisters) all do the early frontier re-enactment stuff. Several times a year they camp in late 18th century clothing and only use gear (tents, cooking, wool blankets, lanterns, etc) from that time period. Typically school kids are bused in during the day; Mom does demonstrations about taking wool all the way from the sheep to yarn to cloth to clothes (she actually has sheep at their farm to get wool from). Dad demonstrates writing with quills, and lets the kids write their own name and if he has enough turkey feathers will let the kids take home their own quill. All my buddies know to save the wing feathers for my dad if they bag a wild turkey during hunting season so he has enough.
Been years(probably a couple decades) since I've been there. I remember seeing the waterwheel mill in action - that was impressive That old open hearth with the women folk cooking bread and stew, fond memories. Thanks for the pictures Jeremy
Great pics - thanks for taking us on the tour! Definitely one for the to-do list. Lots of New Yankee Workshop projects were inspired by the furniture there. Norm Abram is sort of my woodworking mentor.
