Nathan Hardt's Page

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” select dates in 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…See More

An outdoor New England Holiday Celebration December 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 23 & 27-30Safely experience a quintessential New England Christmas featuring outdoor decorations and festivities that highlight a homemade holiday. See traditions like knitting a Christmas stocking, wreath, ornament, and tin lantern making, and cooking a holiday meal. From the common to the countryside, warm yourself by the fires, ride a horse-drawn carryall, or stroll through the Christmas Tree Trail and Wish Bridge!See More

An outdoor New England Holiday Celebration December 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 23 & 27-30Safely experience a quintessential New England Christmas featuring outdoor decorations and festivities that highlight a homemade holiday. See traditions like knitting a Christmas stocking, wreath, ornament, and tin lantern making, and cooking a holiday meal. From the common to the countryside, warm yourself by the fires, ride a horse-drawn carryall, or stroll through the Christmas Tree Trail and Wish Bridge!See More

At this celebration of artisans, the Village will showcase New England crafts and trades from the early 19th century. The Village’s craftspeople will showcase their skills by crafting more complicated or unique items that are not usually displayed at the Village.  From textile work to woodworking, experience “handmade” from the past.All of the artisans have a passion for the traditional elements of their trade and for bridging techniques between the past and the present as well as sharing their…See More

At this celebration of artisans, the Village will showcase New England crafts and trades from the early 19th century. The Village’s craftspeople will showcase their skills by crafting more complicated or unique items that are not usually displayed at the Village.  From textile work to woodworking, experience “handmade” from the past.All of the artisans have a passion for the traditional elements of their trade and for bridging techniques between the past and the present as well as sharing their…See More

Have you ever wondered what was involved in making and maintaining all the clothing for a family in the 1830s?  If you have, please join us at Old Sturbridge Village on August 15 & 16, 2020 for our annual Textile Weekend, Clothing a Family.   Visit the Asa Knight store to discover what kind of fabrics, trims, and sewing supplies were available at a country store. See how many pieces of clothing for family members were sewn at home.  Learn about the tailors, dressmakers, and bonnet makers…See More

Join Old Sturbridge Village as we acknowledge and celebrate extraordinary and everyday women in the early 19th century. Stop outside the historic houses of OSV to learn about how women ran their households, managing the essential work of clothes construction, cooking, laundry, and more. Join interpreters in the gardens for talks on Indigenous plants, medicine, and discussions on the roles of women and children in gardening. Beyond the domestic sphere, we will explore issues surrounding gender,…See More

Enjoy being outside and spend a summer evening at the Village after our normal hours of operation! Stroll through our scenic campus, explore our gardens, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, and enjoy period music. Feel free to bring a picnic to enjoy on the Village common! Beer, wine, and limited snacks will also be available for purchase.Due to current capacity limits, pre-registration is required.  Register…See More

Enjoy being outside and spend a summer evening at the Village after our normal hours of operation! Stroll through our scenic campus, explore our gardens, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, and enjoy period music. Feel free to bring a picnic to enjoy on the Village common! Beer, wine, and limited snacks will also be available for purchase.Due to current capacity limits, pre-registration is required.  Register…See More

We are happy to welcome visitors back to the Village! As we reopen, our goals are to provide a safe environment for all staff and visitors, use our unique outdoor environment to expand our stories of early New England life, and to deliver the engaging, educational experiences you’ve come to expect at Old Sturbridge Village.Please visit our website for more details and the latest updates.Our costumed historians will be interpreting…See More

Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village is an evening filled with New England holiday traditions, live musical performances, storytelling, sleigh rides, festive foods, a roaring bonfire, and strolls around the decorated Village Common. Do not miss the nightly tree lighting and the ever-popular gingerbread house contest!This year, stroll the all-new Christmas Tree Trail! Take a few moments away from the hustle and bustle of the activities surrounding the common to reflect on the…See More

Experience the traditions of preparing for an early 19th-century New England Thanksgiving. Learn about 1830s dining etiquette and watch the men of the Village compete in a post-dinner target shoot (weekends). Smell the scents of roasted turkey and pies warming by the fire. Hear the minister talk about the true meaning of Thanksgiving in the Village’s historic Center Meetinghouse.See More