Muster Day

To supplement the meager armed forces, most early 19th-century farmers and craftsmen were required by law to serve in local militia units - the forerunner of today's National Guard. Militia musters often saw the various militia companies of several towns coming together for a regimental muster. These would have been grand spectacles with townspeople coming out to view visiting militia companies in their dashing uniforms. Come and join us for our muster day and cheer on your favorite militia company! Programming: -Talk to members of volunteer militia companies and learn how the militia of the early 19th century connected directly back to the American Revolution. -Listen to early 19th-century martial music. -Watch musket and cannon firing demonstrations. -Witness a recreated wake and military funeral for Captain Simeon Fiske, a veteran of the American Revolution. -Our young visitors will get the chance to learn early 19th-century drill and marching with the militia officer’s instruction and a toy musket. -Learn why many New Englanders were pushing for reforms to the militia system and the role that intemperance played in those reforms. -Purchase some soft gingerbread, a traditional Muster Day treat (while supplies last)

Old Sturbridge Village

Historical Craft Classes

Spend some time at the Village learning a historical craft. These adult workshops relate to skills you’ll see practiced in the Museum or are inspired by 19th-century artifacts from the collection. During their session, students will gain comfort in hand skills, culminating in a finished product, a delicious meal, or a newfound hobby. Pre-registration is required.&nbsp; Classes offered the weekend of September 12-13: <ul><li>Ice Cream and Sweet Treats: Learn to make ice cream and other treats the early 19th-century way!</li><li>Ancient Crafts: Cordage: Learn how to make cordage off the landscape!</li><li>Multi-Color Block Printing: Carve a series of linoleum blocks resulting in an edition of three-color prints!</li><li>Basic Hand Sewing: 18th Century Haversack: Learn basic handstitches and construct a small shoulder bag!</li><li>Apples Galore: Cook a handful of apple dishes from period cookbooks and learn about seasonal foods and how to preserve seasonal favorites!</li></ul>

Teacher Open House

Calling all educators! Haven’t been to Old Sturbridge Village since your own 3rd grade field trip? Take this opportunity to reacquaint yourself with the museum and all it has to offer. This teacher open house day is free for educators and one guest. Join us for an open house on Saturday, October 10. Learn more about OSV’s field trip options, from self-guided visits to hands-on workshops. Sign up for a workshop yourself and explore how our offerings fit with your curriculum and how you can tailor a visit to OSV to suit your students’ needs. &nbsp;Pre-registration is required.<ul><li>Enjoy snacks and mulled cider by the fire at Museum Education</li><li>Explore OSV’s program options for schools and youth groups with education staff</li><li>Learn how OSV is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence through workshops, tours, and civics programs.&nbsp;</li><li>Take home self-guided materials, craft instructions, and lesson plans to use with your students&nbsp;</li><li>If a field trip to the Village isn’t possible, learn more about our outreach options to have educators come to you</li><li>See if there is grant funding available to bring your students to the Village!&nbsp;</li><li>Be entered into a raffle to win OSV-made goods, classroom visits, and activity packs&nbsp;</li></ul>Workshops are a nominal fee to cover the cost of materials and staffing.&nbsp;

Spend some time at the Village learning a historical craft. These adult workshops relate to skills you’ll see practiced in the Museum or are inspired by 19th-century artifacts from the collection. During their session, students will gain comfort in hand skills, culminating in a finished product, a delicious meal, or a newfound hobby.&nbsp; Classes offered the weekend of November 7 - 8: <ul><li>19th-Century Folk Painting: Look at examples of 19th-century paintings, discuss methods of learning to paint, who painted, and the specific techniques they used, and then head outside to paint a landscape inspired by folk artists!</li><li>Letterpress Printing: Connect with revolutionary printers of the past, like Isaiah Thomas, by learning to use a hand-powered printing press!</li><li>Pewter Hand Christmas Ornaments: Choose from an assortment of original patterns, learn about the casting process, make sand impressions, cast the ornaments, and file and polish them up!</li><li>Fruitcakes (The Good Kind): Cook a historic fruitcake over the fire and learn about the special occasions one might enjoy a fruitcake at. </li><li>Multi-Color Block Printing: Carve a series of linoleum blocks resulting in an edition of three-color prints!</li><li>Bread and Butter: Make different types of bread in a brick bake oven and learn the intricacies of making bread from scratch!</li></ul>

Kids Free August

For a limited time up to two kids, 17 years old or younger, are admitted for FREE to Old Sturbridge Village per adult paying for full-price general daytime admission. Before the kids head back to school, spend a day exploring the sights, sounds, and stories of 19th-century rural New England. Wander through the Village's scenic landscape and historic buildings, enjoy hands-on activities, watch skilled artisans at work, meet heritage-breed animals, chat with our knowledgeable costumed historians, and create lasting family memories before summer comes to a close.

Summer, Sounds & Sparks

This August for one night only, join us for a dazzling display of colorful fireworks during Summer, Sounds &amp; Sparks, an all-new evening event in celebration of America's 250th Birthday. Guests can enjoy the sounds of fife and drum music, performances by the Village's own singers, cannon and musket demonstrations, and stay for a grand fireworks finale, honoring the spirit of independence and the shared history that united Americans 250 years ago. A variety of food will be available for guests to purchase while you watch the show! Menus will be available soon.

Redcoats and Rebels

Step back in time as hundreds of reenactors portraying soldiers, artisans, and civilian camp followers recreate the sights, sounds, and stories of the American Revolution. Watch thrilling drills, musket and cannon demonstrations, and battles, chat with artisan craftspeople, tour the military encampments, listen to fife and drum music, and chat with both reenactors and Old Sturbridge Village's costumed historians. Don't miss this immersive, two-day event, perfect for families, history buffs, and curious minds of all ages.

Voices of a Revolution

Visitors will step into a rural Massachusetts community and meet six Revolutionary-era residents—a printer, housemaid, lawyer, shopkeeper, tavern keeper, and farmer’s wife—each navigating the growing conflict in their own way. To make the experience even more immersive, guests will have an opportunity to learn about a specific person and build their own character, allowing them to move through the Village as active participants in the unfolding story and decide whether it is in their best interest to fight for independence or remain loyal to The British Crown. Voices of a Revolution is produced in partnership with ClockJack Productions.&nbsp;

Songs of Liberty

This 25-minute live performance explores how music carried revolutionary ideas through taverns, homes, and meetinghouses across New England—often faster and with greater impact than the written word. A cast of musicians, joined by a Massachusetts Minuteman storyteller, will perform songs from the Revolutionary era with a contemporary folk-rock twist, highlighting enduring themes of liberty, resistance, and unity. The Songs of Liberty is produced in partnership with ClockJack Productions.

Independence Celebration

Join us in celebration of Independence Day! Experience fife and drum music, cannon demonstrations (weather permitting), performances, and a parade. Make a tri-corner hat, hear special readings of poetry and the Declaration of Independence, play games, marvel at the work of our skilled artisans and tradespeople, and more! Also, be sure to visit the Richardson House, where our costumed historians are reproducing a unique thirteen-star flag based on a c. 1820 artifact in the OSV Museum Collection. Check back closer to the event for a schedule of activities. During Independence Celebration, the Village will host a Citizen Naturalization Ceremony. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will present candidates to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and they will pledge their Oath of Allegiance to the United States for the very first time.

Kids Free April 

Time Travel Savings: Kids Free Admission! Immerse yourself in the beauty and charm of early spring as you explore the rich history of 19th-century New England. Explore the Village and enjoy the unique blend of hands-on learning, participatory demonstrations, and engaging conversation. Chat with our costumed historians, step inside historic homes and shops, meet our heritage breed animals, and so much more. From Wednesday, April 1, through Thursday, April 30, 2026, enjoy FREE admission* for up to two kids (ages 17 and under) with the purchase of an adult or senior general daytime admission ticket using code KID26 at checkout. Reserve your tickets online and save even more! Members can also bring up to two kids not already covered by their membership. Inspire Your Child’s Curiosity Wander through the recreated historical Village and chat with knowledgeable costumed historians who bring the past to life. Get out of the house and see our gardeners’ preparing fields and gardens for planting, meet the new lambs, and see sparks fly in the blacksmith shop. Every corner holds a new adventure, and no two visits to OSV are alike. Enjoy Outdoor Family Fun Create lasting memories together with friends and family. Wander our trails, see the buds on the trees and flowers blossom, make a craft together, and enjoy quality time surrounded by the wonders of history. Join us during Connecticut and Massachusetts school vacation weeks for Family Field Days. Engage the Senses From the smell of food cooking over the open hearth to watching traditional crafts such as pottery, and enjoying a tasty Joe Frogger or famous chocolate chip cookie, we make history an interactive and engaging experience. Step into the Stories of the Past This year, as part of the commemoration of America 250 at the Village, every day has special thematic demonstrations and performances focused on the first fifty years following the American Revolution. Daily schedules are posted on our website a few days in advance.

Family Field Days

Kick off April school vacation with a round of friendly family competition! For ten days this April, families of all ages, shapes, and sizes are welcome to join in a slate of 19th-century-inspired games, competitions, and feats of skill. Grab a scorecard and chart your progress as you see how far you can hit an 1830s baseball, how long you can balance on a set of stilts, and how many targets you can hit. Throughout the day, guests will be welcome to try out additional drop-in games and activities. Village staff will be in on the fun, too, as costumed historians participate in craft and trade-related competitions. As always, guests can also chat with our costumed historians, marvel at historical craft demonstrations, visit with our heritage breed animals, walk our nature trails, explore our gardens, and more! PLUS: This April, kids received FREE admission with the purchase of an adult general admission ticket using code KID26. Up to two kids, 17 years old or younger, are admitted for free per adult paying for full-price general daytime admission. Please note: Some activities may be weather-dependent. Schedules are subject to change without notice. Games &amp; Activities: Competitions ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Graces Toss ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Target Shoot with Rubber Band Rifles ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Egg and Spoon Race ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stilts Walk ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Milk Bucket Carry ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Trundling Hoop Race ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jump Rope Challenge ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Trap, Bat, and Ball – Baseball Drop-in Activities ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nature Scavenger Hunt ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Paradoxes and Puzzles, puns and riddles ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tug of War ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stories ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Marbles ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Quoits ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9-pin

Celtic Celebration

Join us as we celebrate cultural heritage through music, dance, storytelling, and poetry during Celtic Celebration. Visitors to the Village will learn about Scottish and Irish heritage, and the ways it shaped 19th century New England. During this event, guests will have the opportunity to hear fiddle tunes, bagpipes, and music by Celtic musicians. Returning this year, Cate Mahoney and Shelley Otis will be performing on the harp. As you explore the historic Village, discover a variety of demonstrations and unique activities to participate in; play a game of Rounders, an Irish game similar to baseball, or see a character presentation about an immigrant’s experience in early 19th century Ireland and America. New this year, the Village is welcoming a team of guest Highland Cattle for visitors to meet and learn about this iconic cattle breed. Highlights include:<ul><li>Enjoy fiddle tunes, a demonstration of the bagpipes, and music by Celtic musicians.</li><li>Hear Irish poetry and stories</li><li>Learn about the Montgomery Guards, the first volunteer militia company in Massachusetts composed entirely of men of Irish decent</li><li>Watch a step dancing performance by the Inishfree Dance School</li><li>Listen to a performance on the harp by Cate Mahoney (Saturday) or Shelley Otis (Sunday)</li><li>See a Magic Show with Celtic Magician Daniel GreenWolf (Sunday)</li><li>Learn about the history of the Jack O' Lantern Tale</li><li>And more!</li></ul>

Maple Days

For many at Old Sturbridge Village, the first whiff of spring isn't the aroma of spring flowers - it's the smell of wood smoke and maple syrup, a sure sign that the sap is rising and spring is on the way. Join us for “Maple Days” on select dates in February and March, when the Village’s working sugar camp demonstrates maple sugaring as it was done in early 19th-century New England. See the entire sugar-making process, from tapping the trees to "sugaring off," and learn why maple sugar was more commonly used than maple syrup in early New England. Costumed historians will also cook period foods made with maple products and the tinner and cooper will make maple-related items.

Love History! Buy One, Get One Half Off General Daytime Admission

History is Better Together! Buy One, Get One Half Off General Daytime Admission Use Code LOVEHISTORY Fall in love with history this February at Old Sturbridge Village. During February school vacation week (Feb 14–22, 2026), buy one general daytime admission and get the second half off with code LOVEHISTORY. Bring someone you love and make it a day to remember. Explore 200+ scenic acres, step inside 40+ historic buildings, and meet costumed historians bringing early 19th‑century New England to life. Say hello to heritage breed farm animals, enjoy winter village views, and take a horse‑drawn carryall ride (weather permitting). See demonstrations of historical crafts like blacksmithing and pottery, smell the aroma of food cooking over the hearth, and catch a music or storytelling performance. PLUS, don’t miss:<ul><li><a href="https://www.osv.org/event/maple-days/">Maple Days</a> (starting Feb 18): Discover maple sugaring from sap to sugar</li><li><a href="https://www.osv.org/event/washington-remembered/ ">Washington Remembered</a> (Feb 21–22): Celebrate Washington’s birthday</li></ul>Old Sturbridge Village is the perfect place to love history together! Don’t miss out on this limited time offer and plan your February Vacation Week visit today.

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Where

oldsturbridgevillage

Experiences

Muster Day

Historical Craft Classes

Teacher Open House

Historical Craft Classes

Kids Free August

Summer, Sounds & Sparks

Redcoats and Rebels

Voices of a Revolution

Songs of Liberty

Independence Celebration

Kids Free April

Family Field Days

Celtic Celebration

Maple Days

Love History! Buy One, Get One Half Off General Daytime Admission