Old Sturbridge Village

[Renaissance Restorations]

OSV ran into some financial and management problems a few years ago, and went through a major reorganization, from what I read in the papers. Last time I was there was about 30 years ago, considered going there recently but heard it wasn't like it used to be.

JoeF

[MarissaJude]

I went a few weeks ago to OSV and really loved it. Granted, I had never been there before so I didn't have any expectations. I'm sad that you've seen so many negative changes Greg. I hate it when stuff like that happens...for me it's like when I see "progress" creeping into our town in Vermont. I hate going to our cabin there and seeing things like cell phone towers go up and subdivisions being built....it just feels wrong. So I understand where you are coming from. On the day I was at OSV all of the employees I met stayed in character and many of them talked to me at length about history and old homes (of course I just love to gush about my 1830 house). I am glad for that because I had a fun time and really enjoyed the experience. Even got 3 year membership for me and Adam so we can see the village at different times of the year and participate in workshops. I did see the plastic cow...and yes, I did try milking it (I think it is there so kids can try milking a cow). I also saw a lot of real farm animals too, though...was very excited to pet a giant pig for the first time! Have you ever been to Williamsburg??? I'd like to go there next...

[lisascenic]

I hate it when stuff like that happens...for me it's like when I see "progress" creeping into our town in Vermont. I hate going to our cabin there and seeing things like cell phone towers go up and subdivisions being built....it just feels wrong.

The farmers who live next to my partner's family's rural cabin (in New York) lost a son because his tractor flipped over and pinned him. He died a slow death because he couldn't call for help.

I have NO PROBLEM with bringing cell phone technology to rural America.

[Lynners]

Well said, lisascenic.

High speed internet access for rural communities is also a topic very important to me. Particularily rural communities with youth at risk of getting involved with drinking, drugs, and dropping out of school.

[melissakd]

I also saw a lot of real farm animals too, though...was very excited to pet a giant pig for the first time! Have you ever been to Williamsburg??? I'd like to go there next...

Pigs are pretty big....first time I drove past a hog farm as an adult it creeped me out...

I was taken to Williamsburg when I was about 14 and loved it. I wanted to live in the Governor's Mansion. On the same trip we visited Mount Vernon and Monticello, and it was one of the milestones in my old-house-loving life.

MelissaKD

[MarissaJude]

To clarify...I'm not totally against technology... but there is something not-so-appealing to me about clear-cutting beautiful mountain tops to put up hideous cell phone towers.

and....that is a is a very tragic story LisaScenic. But truly, who is to say that guy would have been carrying a cell phone in his pocket while riding his tractor?

Personally, I have no interest in having my cell phone glued to me at all times. It feels liberating to go to Vermont and leave the damn thing off and in the glove box of my car because it won't work there anyway.

People are too dependent on all their gadgets, if you ask me.

(and not that anyone did, BUT...the fact that we have so many of these gadgets can be as much isolating and destructive as it can be useful. I think most kids need to get outside more instead of burying themselves in video games and text messages. Half of the time when I see teenagers they can't stop checking their phones even when people are trying to have conversations with them. It's annoying. And rude.)

[lavender_bush]

aw greg, that sucks

We took my Mother and our youngest daughter (from England) on a tour in January 2002 and we loved it, we were basically running from building to building because it was so flipping cold and we spent probably 30 minutes in the cobblers because he had a fire and we needed to be warm. Plus he was totally in character. We discussed Doc Martin boots.

The chap in the General Store made out that he was shocked that our DD's were both wearing jeans - it was very funny.

At the tin shop our son was given a heart shaped cookie cutter for answering a question from the 'blurb' they shared when we entered the store. We spent a good 20 minutes there - we weren't alone, they drew a crowd.

My Mother had a very interesting discussion about the differences between English and US money. They talked so long that I was expecting him to ask her out on a date

The people in some of the houses were not interactive and the woman in the Parsonage when my DH asked if the Minister was home looked like deer in headlights.

I went again in 2005 with an old school friend and since it was June it was more comfortable but the reenactors didn't seem to be in the mood.

We haven't been back since

[gregV]

After many years with a Blackberry in my pocket, I ditched it over a year ago and have not had any cell phone since. I can vouch for Marissa here, it's very very liberating and at this point I don't miss it at all. I highly recommend it!

[Civil War Seamstress]

Greg, I am hoping you only went there on a bum day.....

I agree with you on the plastic cows. They also had a repro dress in a case in one of the houses. It had a machine top stitched hem. If they knew it was going on display like that someone should have hand done the hem at least (and all the other aspects that show.) I can see for time and money machine stitching what can't be seen, but OSV predates the home sewing machine being in the average village home. By the 1860's the dang things were $25 on the installment plan! That was a lot of money!

I saw some items on display that I knew were not 1830's like some fabric in a sample sewing box. I mean these people sell OSV prints in their gift shop so why was there a 1930's calico even in that museum. I did find the clothing displays of the originals and the glass ware very good.

The reenactors were spot on the day I went and were able to answer all of my prying questions as I was trying to build a back story for my Civil War persona. I should have been a girl around the time of OSV so I have better be familar with the objects in the house and how to store butter properly. The herb gardener was very good and told me more than I will ever remember. I did bring a book and took notes, but..... They were dying yarn. It was nice to see what was used to produce specific colors.

When we were in the mercantile the sheep ran thru the town! It was a riot! they also did an paper balloon flying demo.


but after all that I don't know how to milk a plastic cow... sorry, guess that means I am too much of a city girl