Daily events are subject to change.
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Welcome to Old Sturbridge Village, a recreated 1830s rural New England town! Join us in celebration of Independence Day! Experience fife and drum music, games, a parade, and more. Hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence and special readings of poetry. Marvel at the work of our skilled artisans and tradespeople, meet and greet sheep, chickens, cattle, pigs, and learn about life in early 19th century rural New England. Enjoy your visit!
Independence Celebration Activities
Throughout the Day:
What does “Independence” mean to you? Participate in this activity by sharing what this word means to you (in the Visitor Center, Building #2).
9:30 a.m. Flag Raising with Fife and Drum
(in front of the Visitor Center, Building #2).
9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Make a Tri-Corner Hat
(in the Visitor Center, Building #2).
9:45 a.m. Flag Raising with Fife and Drum
(on the Common, “C” on mapguide).
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. United Stitches:
Visit the Richardson House as a new thirteen star flag is sewn together. Discover how village residents celebrated the events of 1776 in the 1830s (in the Richardson House, Building #12).
10:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m. Fife & Drum Music
(in the Field next to the Bixby House, Building #36).
10:00 a.m. A Guided Tour of the Salem Towne House:
Tour the home of a prosperous farmer (meets in the hallway of the Salem Towne House, Building #15).
10:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m. Sawmill Demonstration: Mills like this cut logs into lumber for neighboring farmers, using the power of falling water (at the Sawmill, Building #41).
10:30 a.m. & 3:30 p.m. Cannon Demonstration: Hear the thunderous roar of our replica cannon (in the Blacksmith Field, behind Building #37).
11:00 a.m. Read Me a Story: A read-aloud story for children with a patriotic theme (in the Salem Towne House Garden, outside Building #15).
11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Tavern Days: Taverns are a great place of entertainment for travelers. Stop by and experience games, music, dance, and news of the day (in the Bullard Tavern, Building #3).
11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. Carding Mill Demonstration: Carding is brushing wool to prepare it for spinning into yarn. Our 200+ year-old water-powered machines do it much faster than hand carding, a welcome service to early farm families (at the Carding Mill, Building #39).
12:30 p.m. Declaring Independence: Listen for the ringing of the Meetinghouse bell to signify the beginning of a contextualized reading of our nation’s Declaration of Independence (at the Center Meetinghouse, Building #6).
1:30 p.m. Procession of Citizens (throughout the Village).
2:00 p.m. Reading of the Declaration of Independence
(on the Common, “C” on mapguide).
2:30 p.m. Play Ball! and Other Games: Learn how kids had fun outside by playing a round of 1830s base ball, toss the grace hoops, and other games. Fun for all ages but kids are encouraged to play (On the common, indicated by the “C” on the map, weather permitting.
3:00 p.m. Parlor Music: Listen to a selection of formal songs set for the parlor (in the Fitch House, Building #20).
3:30 p.m. A Reading of Patriotic Poetry: Listen to poems with a patriotic theme written by 19th century poets
(in the Salem Towne House Garden, #15).
4:00 p.m. Hurdy Gurdy: Listen to this strange and unusual instrument (in the Bullard Tavern, Building #3).
4:45 p.m. Flag Lowering with Fife & Drum Music (on the Common, “C” on mapguide).
4:55 p.m. Flag Lowering with Fife & Drum Music (in front of the Visitor Center, Building #2).
Dining & Shopping
Bullard Café (Building #3) (on the Ground Floor)
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Hungry? Stop by for lunch or a snack.
Miner Grant Store & Bake Shop (Building #18)
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Stop in to buy our famous chocolate chip cookies, Joe Frogger cookies, and treats. Shop for Village-made wares, historical children’s toys and gifts, too!
Ox & Yoke Café (Building #1)
10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Featuring scrumptious sweet and savory baked goods prepared on-site, along with freshly ground coffee, beer and wine, cold and hot drinks, and more.
Ox & Yoke Mercantile (Building #1)
10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Take home a traditional rural New England treasure or unique gift. Village-made crafts and kits, home décor, books, and more await!
Village Scoop Shop (Building # 24)
11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Serving Ice cream and cold beverages.