Old Sturbridge Village’s Independence Forever
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I was given a media pass by Old Sturbridge Village to experience Independence Forever. All opinions expressed are my own.
This month, I was invited by Old Sturbridge Village to experience Independence Forever. It’s a summer celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary this year. As someone who loves all things historic and Old Sturbridge Village, I was super excited to check this event out!
Getting An Identity
Independence Forever is an immersive event that really gets you thinking about the American Revolution. When you arrive for your visit, you’ll receive the identity of a real Massachusetts resident living during the Revolution. We were able to pick which resident we were each going to be. I chose Mercy Otis Warren, a writer from Barnstable, Massachusetts.
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On the back side of the card with the identity is a list of activities to do around the village. The idea is to see if you’d have been a loyalist or a patriot. I didn’t have a pen or pencil with me, so we just took a picture of the card to circle digitally which one we got at each spot! I thought this was a great kid-friendly activity.
Voices of a Revolution
What I thought was so interesting about Independence Forever was that it considered the perspectives of loyalists and patriots. When we think about the American Revolution, most of us tend to focus on the patriots who sacrificed so much to help the 13 colonies gain independence. In turn, the stories of those who didn’t fully agree with separating from the British Crown are not usually shared.
During your visit, you’ll get various viewpoints from different townspeople. Some of these people are patriots who deeply believe in the cause, while others aren’t so sure about the Revolution and separating from the British Crown. These viewpoints are showcased with the Voices of a Revolution shows at different spots around the village.
There are six different townspeople you’ll be able to hear from. The Printer, the Tavernkeeper, the Lawyer, the House Maid, the Farmer’s Wife, and the Shopkeeper. You’ll hear from them individually and you’ll also see some of them interact with each other.
As someone who’s lived in one of the original 13 colonies my entire life, I’ve always heard the stories of the patriots and heroes during the Revolution. Because of this, I’d never really considered that there were even people who didn’t want to separate from England.
Hearing viewpoints from townspeople who weren’t so sure about whether the Revolution was a good thing during these shows really got me thinking. It was interesting to hear why some people were not on board with gaining independence.
I loved getting to hear all of the different viewpoints as I watched the Voices of a Revolution shows throughout the day. I thought it was really well-done and thought-provoking.
I did all six shows back-to-back to make sure that I saw all of them. It was easiest to do it this way so I didn’t have to keep track of all of the different times for the different shows. I also didn’t need to keep track of which I had already seen and which ones I hadn’t.
In addition to the shows, you can also participate in a town meeting and have your voice heard. The discussion is about whether the town is in favor or opposed to seceding from Britian. You’ll have the chance to vote on the matter during the meeting.
Additionally, you’ll have the option of taking on another identity. This is different than the identity you get when you arrive. The identity card for the town meeting has discussion points if you’re not sure what to say!
The meeting happens inside the Center Meetinghouse. There are two town meeting times, both which are later in the day. Since it was later in the day, I’d had ample time to think about both sides by the time we went.
I’m super introverted, so I didn’t actually get up and speak during the town meeting. Public speaking is pretty much my worst nightmare. However, there were visitors who had some interesting things to say in the meeting, which made it lively!
Other Things To Do
Old Sturbridge Village is quite large. It covers 200 acres and there’s plenty to see. We did all of the plays back-to-back between 10:20am and 12:15pm and then the town meeting at 2:30pm. We spent the rest of the time exploring everything the grounds has to offer. While this was not my first visit, I always enjoy wandering through the village.
The grounds of the museum are honestly stunning. There’s a good mix of scenery between the Center Village and the Countryside. The Center Village has historic buildings around a town green. The Countryside has a farm, animals, and some trade buildings. There are even nature walks and two covered bridges! The museum grounds are honestly a photographer’s dream, especially if you love historic buildings.
You can go into most of the buildings on the grounds. Inside the buildings, you get a glimpse into how people lived in rural New England the 1830s. Many of the buildings have reenactors inside to really give the feel that you’re stepping back in time. Some of my favorite things to see when I visit are the printing office, meals being cooked, and the blacksmith making stuff in the blacksmith shop.
For kids, there are a lot of old games to play with. My favorite is the hoop rolling game. My sister liked the stilts. I didn’t get on the stilts, but they did look fun.
Dining At The Museum
I was provided with meal vouchers to use during my visit. There are three different spots you can get food while you’re visiting. The main restaurant with the most options is the Bullard Tavern. This is where we ate lunch. I got chicken tenders and potato wedges, while my sister got mac and cheese.
The tavern had both indoor and outdoor seating. We were thankfully able to find a spot to sit inside to catch a break from the heat. The AC felt great, and it was a nice break from wandering around the village.
They had plenty of drink options as well. Due to the heat, I only allowed myself to get water. My sister got a Prime Hydration Drink. They also offered alcoholic beverages like wine and beer.
Another spot to grab food is at the Miner Grant Store and Bakeshop. You can get baked goods, coffee, and tea here. There’s also have a cooler with bottled drinks inside. It’s also a gift shop where you can find souvenirs to bring home. When we stopped in, we got cookies to bring home and more water.
The third spot you can grab food is the Scoop Shop. We stopped here before leaving to get some ice cream to cool off. The ice cream was honestly delicious. My sister said it reminded her of Salem Valley Farms ice cream, which is some of the best ice cream in Connecticut.
Is It Worth Visiting Old Sturbridge Village For Independence Forever?
Honestly, I’d say it’s absolutely worth doing if you’re interested in history. I spend a lot of time exploring history around New England, and I loved this interactive experience to learn more about the Revolution. Most spots in New England are telling stories of the patriots, and the Voices of the Revolution gave some different viewpoints, which I think is so important. It was extremely well-done.
I’ve been to Sturbridge Village over the years, and this was a completely different experience than just a regular visit. While I always feel like I’m stepping back in time when I visit, this time it was different. I felt more immersed and I thought the plays truly helped to bring history alive. It was giving important glimpses into the Revolution instead of just regular day to day life. While life was always about survival back then, the stakes were absolutely higher during the Revolution due to a different kind of stress.
If you’re looking to visit for Independence Forever, below are some upcoming events to potentially plan your trip around:
- Redcoats & Rebels, August 1st and 2nd. Pre-registration is highly recommended for this event. 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.
- Fireworks – Summer Sounds & Sparks, August 15. This is an evening event in celebration of America’s 250th Birthday. There will be fife and drum music, performances by the Village’s own singers, cannon and musket demonstrations, and a grand fireworks finale, honoring the spirit of independence and the shared history that united Americans 250 years ago. There will be food available for purchase while you watch the show.
