“Old Sturbridge Village is a living, breathing, vibrant village depicting life in New England from 1790-1840. Visitors can meet historians in costume and tour 40 antique buildings, including a country store, school, and water-powered mills.”
We spent Father’s Day at OSV and had an opportunity to meet many fine people of the village, such as this shoe maker…
He explained that he was making the first store bought, fitted shoes. Prior to this, people either made their own shoes or bought “one-size fits all” shoes. That’s progress!
Farm life was very difficult. Families worked hard planting and sowing, preserving foods and maintaining their properties and homes.
The potter was making ink wells from clay, and explaining which bird’s feathers made the best writing instruments. He advised strongly against using a chicken’s feathers!
And the blacksmith was heating and bending iron into one of two handles to to be used to make a long tool for picking up and moving red hot coals.
Life was hard: if you needed something, you grew it, crafted it, or saved your wages until you could afford to buy it. The day started before dawn and ended at dusk; no electricity, social media, or megamalls. Neighbors were close and families were closer. Life was hard.
Come to think of it, though, there is something to be said for the simple, hard life.
All photos Fujifilm X-S1, Lightroom 4
2 Guys Photo 
Ed, wonderful shots. I love these places. I have enjoyed similar anachronisms at a fort in Rome, NY and the Mayflower Village in Plymouth, Mass. with actors playing the period. What a great way to experience history. Take the kids.
Hi Prentis – I couldn’t agree more. These “living exhibits” are the closest thing to time travel that we can experience. We did take our kids here when they were young, and our parents took us when we were in our youth. I hope to return with grandkids someday. Thanks Prentis.