With the kids on school vacation this past week, we had the opportunity to go back in time. We visited Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor museum in the Northeast. The setting is 1790 -1840, a much simpler time. I don't know if I should really say simpler, folks worked their tails off. As soon as you walk into the museum you can see a shift even in yourself, you tend to just slow down. Even a mom like me who is constantly on her toes, tends to loosen the reigns a bit here. This is an awesome place for families, the kids can walk around and pet the sheep or see what it was like for kids in school. The costumed interpreters make the museum interactive which keeps the kids interested, they can ask all the questions they want and get answers that I might not have known. At various places throughout the village they have games that children of the time would have participated in.
We were lucky enough to be able to see the Grist mill and the Carding mill in operation, we also saw the potter making cups and candle holders (he made it look very easy). From the shoemaker we learned that shoes were not made for left and right feet, but could go on either foot. We saw the blacksmith making a fork and spatula, and chatted for a bit with the tinsmith. Bookworm enjoyed trying on clothes from the time and trying out the beds in one of the houses.
The museum allows you to bring in outside food which makes it an affordable outing for families like mine who would probably have to spend as much for food as we did for admission. We packed water and snacks and a picnic lunch that we enjoyed in the grass on the common.
While we were there we were interviewed for an upcoming radio commercial, so keep your ears out for us.
