For Immediate Release:

January 17, 2024

Sturbridge, M.A. – Almost everyone familiar with Old Sturbridge Village knows it because of a school field trip they or their children took at one point in the last 40 years. The Museum Education department at the Village has seen hundreds of thousands of students, teachers, and chaperones through its doors to date. Schools from surrounding areas and states plan visits to support their humanities curriculum and enjoy a day traveling back in time to learn about life in the 1830s.

On Friday, December 14^th Senator Ryan C. Fattman (R) and Representative Todd M. Smola (R) presented a check for $15K to aid experiential learning opportunities for local school students. The funds were acquired through the 2024 Fiscal Year state budget. As a result of the 2021 redistricting, the town of Sturbridge was added to Fattman’s district (Worcester Hampden). Fattman’s goal is to understand the economic and educational assets in his district therefore creating this relationship with the Village. This is the first time Senator Fattman has acquired a budget earmark for Old Sturbridge Village.

Says Fattman,  “There are a number of gems within my district and there is no doubt that Old Sturbridge Village is one of those. Allowing students to visit and experience OSV is critical to their understanding of the history of our area,” Senator Fattman continues, “This funding through the state budget will provide students in the greater area the ability to see history come alive.

The Museum Education department offers several different options for school visits from self-guided tours to custom, hands-on workshop experiences, to Town Hall meetings or debates.

Says Jim Donahue, "We are grateful to Representative Smola and Senator Fattman for their continued support for Old Sturbridge Village and more importantly, for the students of Worcester County. We are eager to welcome the students who will be funded by this generous support."

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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. More than 200,000 visitors interact with costumed historians each year, 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: $30 for adults, $28 for seniors, $15 for College Students, $15 for children ages 4-17, and children 3 and under are admitted free. 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.