Daily events are subject to change.
Saturday, August 30, 2025
Welcome to Muster Day at Old Sturbridge Village! To supplement the meager armed forces, most early 19th century farmers and craftsmen were required by law to serve in local militia units – the forerunner of today’s National Guard. Militia musters often saw the various militia companies of several towns coming together for a regimental muster. These would have been grand spectacles with townspeople coming out to view visiting militia companies in their dashing uniforms. Come and join us for our Muster Day and cheer on your favorite militia company! Enjoy your visit! Please note the Woodland Walk and Pasture Walks are closed today.
Muster Day Programming
Gingerbread for sale outside of the Miner Grant Store -
While supplies last!
A winter treat today, gingerbread was traditionally enjoyed on muster days in the early 19th century (Building #18).
Throughout the Day:
- Visit the Striped Pig Tent
(by the Asa Knight Store, Building #10). - 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 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).
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Make a Paper Militia Hat
(in the Visitor Center, Building #2).
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. The Militia in Context:
Visit the large tent near the Bullard Tavern to learn about the militia system, who served, and its connection to social reform movements in the 1830s (near the Bullard Tavern, Building #3).
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Help Roll Cartridges for the Militia: Each town had to furnish their militia with blank cartridges for muster days. Come help make the paper tubes that Sturbridge needs (in the Bixby House, Building #36).
9:45 a.m. Flag Raising with Fife & Drum Music (on the Common, C on mapguide).
10:00 a.m. The Militia Musters
(on the Common, C on the mapguide).
12:00 p.m. Fife and Drum Music Demonstration:
(by the Center Meetinghouse, Building #6).
12:30 p.m. Kids Learn to March
(on the Common, C on the mapguide).
1:15 p.m. Sermon on Peace (in the Center Meetinghouse, Building #6).
2:30 p.m. Calls of the Bugle: Learn about the role of the bugle as a signal instrument for the militia (at the Bixby Field,
by Building #36).
2:00 p.m. Cannon Demonstration
(at the Bixby Field, near Building #36).
3:00 p.m. Sham Fight (at the Bixby Field, near Building #36).
4:00 p.m. Fife and Drum Music Demonstration
(by the Center Meetinghouse, Building #6).
4:45 p.m. Flag Lowering with Fife and Drum Music
(on the Common, C on the mapguide).
Daily Activities
10:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.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).
10:30 a.m. & 3:30 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).
11:00 a.m. Pirate Tales From New England’s Rocky Shores: Hear tales about swashbuckling – but nasty – pirates
(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).
12:00 p.m. Read Me a Story: A read-aloud story for children
(in the Salem Towne House Garden, outside Building #15).
2:30 p.m. Living By the Bell: A role character presentation about a boardinghouse mistress’ experiences with the Lowell mill girls and the 1830s labor strikes
(in the Salem Towne House Garden, outside Building #15).
3:30 p.m. Milking Demonstration
(at the Freeman Barn, near Building #34).
3:30 p.m. A Reading of Floral Poetry: Listen to peoms written by 19th Century poets about the language of flowers
(in the Salem Towne House Garden, outside Building #15).
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)
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Serving Ice cream and cold beverages.