For Immediate Release: July 27, 2022

Media Contacts: Sarah Martin Sarah@BreaktheIceMedia.com C: 315-225-0256 Emily Klamm Digital Marketing Manager EKlamm@OSV.org O: 508-347-0205

Old Sturbridge Village Unveils New Signage for Bullard Tavern Hand-painted and customized signage created by lifelong Sturbridge resident and local artist, John Cloutier

Sturbridge, MA – Old Sturbridge Village has unveiled new signage at The Bullard Tavern on the Common, constructed and hand-painted by local artist and Sturbridge resident, John Cloutier. Replacing an older, damaged sign for the Tavern, the new signage brings to life a traditional style and larger design—one that is appropriate to the signs of early New England—working in tandem with the Programming & Interpretation and Curatorial & Collections teams at Old Sturbridge Village.

Newly finished sign for The Bullard Tavern at Old Sturbridge Village.

The updated sign features a rising sun smiling out over two green hills, with the Bullard Tavern name framing the scene in the sky and along the grass line. The sign’s design was inspired by one hanging in the Stephen M. Brewer Theater in the Old Sturbridge Village Visitor Center. It is approximately 6 feet by 5 feet and hangs on posts that stand around 16 ft high—reaching the second floor of the Tavern building.   Cloutier is a lifelong resident of Sturbridge, MA, and the owner of Globe Signs in Southbridge, MA. He has a history of working with the Village, creating period signs for buildings including the Print Shop, Thompson Bank, and Law Office, as well as wayfinding signs and map kiosks, along with the Bullard Tavern sign the new one has since replaced.   “Old Sturbridge Village has so much meaning to my family—our history with and love for the Village has been passed down through the generations.” says Cloutier. “My grandparents both worked in the Village and would often bring me there as a young child; later on, my wife worked there as well. Having grown up watching the interpreters do their specific crafts definitely influenced me to want to work with my hands and heart. I’m grateful to have taken my own children to the Village and have now passed my passions along to my sons, Jack and Sam, who assisted with the creation of this sign. I hope that my work is just one small contribution to the Village’s continued success.”

Cloutier and son, Jack, stand under finished sign.

The finished sign hangs in front of Bullard Tavern.

Once called The Village Inn, Bullard Tavern is named after Cromwell Bullard, who owned and operated a tavern in Sturbridge in the 1830s (now known as The Publick House Inn and Restaurant). When Bullard Tavern was built, the architectural philosophy was that the building needed to look and feel appropriate to the time and region that they were modeled for—but did not need to be exact reproductions. The Tavern incorporates some original materials but is primarily a 1940s impression of a 19th-century tavern.   Previously, Cloutier created the sign for Bullard Tavern using a special technique common to the 19th century, incorporating crushed glass and colored sand to add texture to the sign and background and Black Glass Skeg to add sparkle and texture to the piece. He worked with Esoteric Sign Supply to gather the materials—but this iteration, Esoteric had gone out of business and Cloutier found himself in need of a new vendor. Working with a German company who produced glass material and distributed to a shop in Oregon, Cloutier was able to access a larger variety of colors and grits—bringing to life a new vision and new sign for the Tavern.   Today, Bullard Tavern serves as the hub for visitors to purchase food and drinks at Old Sturbridge Village, including sandwiches, salads, paninis, soups and grilled items. More information on Bullard Tavern can be found at: https://www.osv.org/building/bullard-tavern/.   Additional images of the custom signage created for Bullard Tavern at Old Sturbridge Village, can be found and downloaded at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v0kf5kn8efmte1o/AAApkEYLcFhCE6TIa8N77Mdoa?dl=0.   ###

MEDIA For b-roll, images, and interview requests, please contact Sarah Martin at Sarah@BreaktheIceMedia.com. About Old Sturbridge Village   Old Sturbridge Village, first opened to the public in 1946, is one of the country's oldest and largest living history museums, celebrating life in early New England from 1790-1840. It is the largest living history museum in the Northeast, celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2021. Each year, more than 250,000 visitors interact with costumed historians, experience up-close demonstrations of early American trades, and meet heritage breed farm animals. Situated on 200 scenic acres, the Village is a collection of more than 40 historic buildings - including homes, meetinghouses, trade shops, working farms, restaurants, shops and three water-powered mills. Located just off the Massachusetts Turnpike and Routes I-84 and 20 in Sturbridge, Mass., Old Sturbridge Village is open year-round, but days and hours vary seasonally. Daily admission is: $28 for adults, $26 for seniors, $14 for College Students, $14 for children ages 4-17, with children 3 and under admitted free. Admission includes free parking. Village Members receive free standard daytime admission. For details, visit https://www.osv.org/plan-your-visit/.     Old Sturbridge Village is also the managing partner of Coggeshall Farm Museum in Bristol, R.I. Members at OSV receive reciprocal membership at Coggeshall Farm Museum.

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