Village Earth Days

Seed, sow, celebrate! Enjoy the outdoors while we celebrate the Earth. Join us for discussions on the changing climate, the history of New England’s environment, sustainability, and more. Enjoy a walk through the woods, participate in a hands-on workshop, take home some seeds for planting at home (while supplies last), see if our gardeners and farmers need help preparing for the growing season ahead, and more! The Scoop Shop will also be open (weather permitting). See below for additional day-specific highlights. More details to come! Schedules are subject to change without notice. 

PLUS: Up to two kids, 17 years old or younger, are admitted for FREE when accompanied by an adult/senior paying standard daytime admission. Save even MORE ($3 per person) by purchasing your tickets online! Restrictions apply; Learn more.

Wednesday, April 23 | View Schedule

Help our gardeners as they prepare for another growing season and learn about seasonal cooking. Take home some seeds to plant at home and participate in a kids' craft activity!

Drop-in Kids' Programs (Included with Standard Daytime Admission or Membership):

• 10:00 a.m. | Bark Rubbing | Meets at Simple Machines
• 11:00 a.m. | Storytime: Percy's Museum | Meets at Simple Machines
• 12:00 p.m. | Nature Weaving | Meets at Simple Machines

Workshop at Museum Education (Additional $7/person Fee):

• PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: 2:00 p.m. | Make a Flower Press (Ages 9+) | SOLD OUT

People have been collecting and pressing botanical specimens for hundreds of years. Participants in this workshop will look at examples of flora and fauna from the collection, see what will be in bloom in the Village’s gardens once the weather warms up, and construct their own flower press from wood.

Thursday, April 24 | View Schedule

Help our gardeners as they prepare for another growing season and learn about seasonal cooking. Take home some seeds to plant at home and participate in a kids' craft activity!

Drop-in Kids' Programs (Included with Standard Daytime Admission or Membership):

• 10:00 a.m. | Seed Balls | Meets at Simple Machines
• 11:00 a.m. | Storytime: Luna and Me | Meets at Simple Machines
• 12:00 p.m. | Plant a Seed | Meets at Simple Machines

Workshop at Museum Education (Additional $5/person Fee):

• PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: 2:00 p.m. | Make Seed Paper (Ages 6+) | Sign Up Here

Friday, April 25 | View Schedule

Help our gardeners as they prepare for another growing season and learn about seasonal cooking. Take home some seeds to plant at home and participate in a kids' craft activity!

Drop-in Kids' Programs (Included with Standard Daytime Admission or Membership):

• 10:00 a.m. | Clay Printing | Meets at Simple Machines
• 11:00 a.m. | Storytime: The First Blade of Sweetgrass | Meets at Simple Machines
• 12:00 p.m. | Fairy Houses | Meets at Simple Machines

Workshop at Museum Education (Additional $5/person Fee):

• PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: 2:00 p.m. | Make a Honey Cake (Ages 6+) | Sign Up Here

Saturday, April 26 | View Schedule

Help our gardeners as they prepare for another growing season, learn about reusing and dyeing fabric, and learn about seasonal cooking. Visit with guest oxen and try your hand at ploughing. Take home some seeds to plant at home and participate in a kids' craft activity!

Special Lectures, Highlights, & Demonstrations:

• 10:00 a.m. | Lecture: Seed Saving with Maria DuBois, Sturbridge Gardeners Community
• 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Visit with OSV's expert beekeeper, Jim Dawber
• 11:00 a.m. | Presentation: Improving the Soil
• 11:30 a.m. | Presentation: Don't Toss it – Upcycle It! with Dana McInnis of Blue Dog Natural Dye House
• 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. | Meet the Author: Author and historian, Melissa Cybulski, will be in Ox & Yoke Café to discuss Johnny Appleseed and his local ties.  She will be available after to sign her book, Appleseeds: A Boy Named Johnny Chapman.
• Visit with guest oxen
• 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Visit with guest demonstrator Billy Bolster as he shows how to upcycle old t-shirts into area rugs, chair pads, and tote bags
• And more!

Sunday, April 27 | View Schedule

Help our gardeners as they prepare for another growing season, learn about reusing and dyeing fabric, and learn about seasonal cooking. Visit with guest oxen and try your hand at ploughing. Take home some seeds to plant at home and participate in a kids' craft activity!

Special Lectures, Highlights, & Demonstrations:

• 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Visit with OSV's expert beekeeper, Jim Dawber
• 11:00 a.m. | Presentation: Don't Toss it – Upcycle It! with Dana McInnis of Blue Dog Natural Dye House
• 1:00 p.m. | Pollinator-Friendly Practices
• 2:00 p.m. | Cooking Up Compost
• Visit with guest oxen
• 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Visit with guest demonstrator Billy Bolster as he shows how to upcycle old t-shirts into area rugs, chair pads, and tote bags
• And more!