Historic Homes and Sites
Central Massachusetts welcome guests to historic homes and sites
3 listings
Sturbridge, MA
Old Sturbridge Village
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, off Route 20 508-347-3362Living museum sends visitors back in time to life in a 19th-century New England village
Almost every kind of 19th-century activity or craft you can imagine is represented in the homes, shops, mills and other historic buildings at Old Sturbridge Village. The 200-plus-acre site re-creates an 1830s New England village, welcoming visitors inside its circa 1819 schoolhouse, 1796 Friends meetinghouse, Greek-Revival bank, 1810 blacksmith shop and other buildings (there are 40 in all), as well as extensive gardens and a farm with heritage-breed pigs, cattle, sheep, pigs and chickens. Costumed historians demonstrate everything from barrel-making and printing to cooking on a heart and preparing wool for spinning. There are exhibits on everything from tools and textiles to beekeeping as well as hands-on activities, games and presentations on early New England village tasks and everyday life.
North Oxford, MA
Clara Barton Birthplace Museum
66 Clara Barton Road 508-987-2056The first home of one of America's most famous women and the founder of the American Red Cross. Exhibits feature Barton's career and history, in addition to family memorabilia.
Hours: June 1-August 31, Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; September, Saturdays only, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $6; seniors, $5; children age 6 to 12, $3.
Information: www.clarabartonbirthplace.org/
Worcester, MI
American Antiquarian Society
185 Salisbury Street 508-755-5221In 1812, this organization was begun by Isaiah Thomas. It now functions mostly as a research library.