Sturbridge M.A. – Visitors can be assured that this upcoming April Vacation for students and families will be full of activities when they visit Old Sturbridge Village (OSV). The Village will be offering a wide variety of talks, walks, workshops, and activities related to nature, ecology, stewardship, and climate. Guests will have the opportunity to speak with costumed historians about the deep connections between the environment and early 19th-century life and begin the seasonal work of preparing and planting the fields and gardens of Old Sturbridge Village. The week will feature a different theme each day.
Saturday, April 17: Spring has sprung!
Join Old Sturridge Village as their farm fields and gardens are prepared for planting! Visit and help harvest parsnips at the Freeman garden. Stop by the Towne garden to see early flowers in bloom.
Sunday, April 18: Seeds
Watch as farm fields and gardens are prepared for planting! Help sow early crops like onions and peas in the Freeman garden, and learn where farmers got seeds in the 1830s.
Monday, April 19: Patriots' Day
Patriots' Day observances at Old Sturbridge will resound with the stirring beat of drums and the thrilling call of the fife, as the Sturbridge Militia musters on the Common. Special programs and activities throughout the day will invite visitors to experience the sights and sounds of the Village’s colonial ancestors as the Revolutionary War began.
Tuesday, April 20: Sowing
It is time to start planting! Help sow early crops like onions and peas in the Freeman garden, watch farmers plant field crops, or grab some seeds to plant at home.
Wednesday, April 21: Pollinators
Wednesday is dedicated to the insects that make our food system flourish! Learn about the Village's honeybee hives, the many other pollinators, and the plants that help pollinators thrive.
Thursday, April 22: Celebrate Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day with Old Sturbridge Village! Earth Day will feature a host of special talks on weather, nature, composting, and more! Watch as Village gardeners prepare for the growing season.
Friday, April 23: Trees
From Chestnut to Hickory, many tree species played a vital role in the forest ecology and regional economy of New England in the 1830s. Visit our Cooper shop, Woodland Walk, and sawmill to learn more about these iconic New England plants.
Saturday, April 24: Wild & Cultivated Herbs
Guests can meet and speak with costumed historians about wild and cultivated herbs popular in the 19th century, and visit the households to see how these seasonal foods found their way into the rural New England diet.
Sunday, April 25: Stewardship: Native & Non-native Species
Many nonnative species are challenging the populations of the native flora of New England. Iconic species such as the American Elm, Hemlock, and Maple all face threats from invasive plants, fungi, and insects. Learn how you can help protect native plants through one of the many talks given on this day at the Village.
The Village will be open between the hours of 9:30 am and 5:00 pm. Tickets are $28 for adults, $14 for youth (4-17), $14 for college students, and free for children ages 3 and under. All visitors and members will be required to purchase and/or reserve their tickets online to manage capacity by following current Massachusetts guidelines. Purchase or reserve your tickets and see our current policies at www.osv.org/plan-your-visit/. Please note that certain activities, like cannon demonstrations, are weather-dependent.
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