Category Archives: historical

July 14, 2017

Tuck Museum (Hampton, NH)

Date Of Visit: June 16, 2017

Location:40 Park Avenue, Hampton, NH (about 1 hour north of Boston, MA and 45 minutes east of Manchester, NH)

Hours: Spring / Summer / Fall Museum Hours
Sunday, Wednesday, Friday
1 to 4pm

Winter Museum Hours
January, February, and March
Wednesday, Friday
1 to 4pm
Sunday by appointment

Cost: Free but donations are appreciated

Parking: There is parking available at the side entrance of the building. There is also additional parking behind the building.

Handicapped Accessible: Yes (thanks to Ryan Lamers)

Highlights: historical artifacts, memorials

Website: Tuck Museum Complex

Who knew Hampton had so much history? That is what many visitors think when they leave the Tuck Museum in Hampton, NH.

But, it really shouldn’t surprise anyone that so much history. After all, it is one of the oldest settled areas of New Hampshire having been settled in 1638.

It’s also surprising that a small museum can have so much historical items and stories. Upon entering the museum, you will most likely notice some of the historical articles from many years ago. One of the main features is are the items from the defunct railway that ran to Hampton.

There are also two mannequins dressed in old military clothing from an earlier era. This is a preview of an exhibit I will discuss later in this post.

The Tuck Museum is considered a “museum complex” because it has several structures and memorials on its land. Guided tours are given to all of these buildings by the very knowledgeable staff.

The first place our guide took us to was the fire fighter building which had older firefighting equipment and vehicles. It’s hard to believe , but true, that some of these vehicles were moved by humans, not horses, in the early days of the fire department in Hampton. It is fitting since the fire department still remains the same – physically go and save lives, despite all of the technological advancements they have made. It still boils down to the one constant – the brave men and women who work in that profession everyday.

You may notice the name Winnacunnet on the fire engine pictured above. That used to be the name of Hampton (more specifically it was called Plantation of Winnacunnet) because of the pine trees in the area (Winnacunnet translates to “beautiful place of pines”). A high school and street in the Hampton area still bear this name.

The next building we went to on the property of the Tuck Museum complex was the barn which contained many of the machines, tools and equipment the people used to farm the land and conduct the everyday chores of the settlers of Hampton. Everything from fishing equipment, agricultural devices to a shoe cobbler’s counter were housed in this barn. Each of these devices has a story and history behind it.

It would take too long and take up too much space to explain each one. But, if you do go on the tour at the museum the tour guide will keep you entertained with various anecdotes and fun facts about these machines and tools. One fun fact you can impress your friends and hot dates with at dinner parties is that when cobblers made shoes there was only one shape to them so you could wear any shoe on any foot. I was joking – please don’t tell anyone that on a date.

There is also a special military exhibit dedicated to the people connected to Hampton, NH. Included in this exhibit are letters from people serving that have been donated on a temporary basis from family and friends of those who served abroad during wartime. One of the storiees that stood out to me from my visit to this memorial was the story of Hampton residentof Lt. Rita Palmer and the Angels of Bataan.

The final room of the museum (I told you it was surprisingly big) was a room with household items and some of the luxuries of the early settlers of the area.

The framed work of art pictured above was made of human hair (does that make it a bona-fide “hair loom”?).

There are also some replicas of beach houses that used to dot the landscape of the Hampton area on the grounds. Since it was raining outside, I was unable to get to them without getting my camera equipment wet, unfortunately.

Hampton has a rather obscure dark side in the form of a witch, Eunice “Goody” Cole. Eunice Cole was the only woman convicted of witchcraft in Hampton, NH (although many others have been casually accused of being one I am sure).

After being released from indentured servitude, her husband and she settled in Mount Wollaston (now Quincy, MA) and they eventually made their way to Hampton, NH. Since they did not have children (they were both beyond child bearing age) and some other characteristics of her that were considered unusual at the time, she must have been a witch. Of course. She was actually accused of witchcraft several times. the first time she was convicted of witchcraft was in 1660. She served 2 years in prison and was sentenced again for a number of years in 1668. She was also found not guilty of witchcraft when she was tried in 1673. And I thought we were litigious these days.

Eventually, Goody Cole was absolved of her accused crime of witchcraft on March 8, 1938. The citizens passed a resolution restoring Eunice “Goody” Cole to her rightful place as a citizen of Hampton. The city went as far as to burn copies of all her court documents, The burned documenst were said to be mixed with soil from her last home and reputed resting place and buried. However, it was actually given to the Tuck Museum.

This brings me to the last few photos of the museum and its grounds. Inside the museum there are some replicas of Goody Cole.

On the grounds of the museum is a memorial without her name or any other marking. In fact, if you did not know the story about Eunice Cole you may just pass by it none the wiser. The marker was erected by Harold Fernald, a teacher and part time police officer from Hampton. The stone is said to be from the location of Eunice Cole’s property.

As an aside, the North Shore paranormal Group and some other paranormal groups have done ghost hunting on the premises with what they considered convincing results that some paranormal activity occurred. The fact the museum is located right across the street from a graveyard, mixed with the Goody Cole history, has added to the theories of paranormal activity. Admittedly, I saw some unusual things during my stay in hampton. But, it was mostly at the beach.

Another memorial on the grounds of Tuck Museum is dedicated to Thorvald, the brother of Viking explorer Leif Erickson and son of Erik the Red. However, this memorial has more of a controversial past as some believe it was just a rock put there by Judge Charles A. lamprey to increase the value of land that he was developing for beach cottages in 1902. Whatever the true story behind the rock, it has become a popular tourist attraction.

The grounds of the museum are well kept and worth strolling by even if you don’t venture into the museum.

marylizstyles is a fellow New England blogger who specializes in the fashion blogging genre. Read a post about her recent dude that’s so nautical fashion adventure in Hampton, NH.

9 Comments | tags: firefighting, Historical, history, memorials, monuments, New England, new hampshire, photographs, Photography, photos, Witch | posted in Hampton, NH, historical, history, New England, new hampshire, photographs, photography, photos, Uncategorized

May 4, 2017

Norumbega Tower (Weston, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: April 30, 2017

Location: Norumbega Rd, Weston, MA (about 20 minutes west of Boston, MA)

Hours: Accessible every day, 24 hours a day

Cost: Free

Parking: Parking is difficult. There is no parking area and the road is pretty narrow. So, pulling over isn’t recommended. I found a parking lot around the corner from the tower on South St. There is also a parking garage on South St.

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

Dog Friendly: Yes

Highlights: 38 foot tower built as a tribute to the Norse

Once considered part of a Norse Village, Weston, MA, has a very special tribute lying just across from the winding Charles River. While the stone tribute still stands there to commemorate the suspected Norse village of Norumbega (a legendary Norse fort city), the name of the area is no longer. Weston must have been easier to pronounce. To preserve the Viking history of the area, the tower was built on that ground as a tribute to the Norse history.

Legend has it that Eben Norton Horsford, an American scientist best known for reformulating baking powder (thank goodness for that), was convinced Fort Norumbega. Horsford was convinced Leif Erikson had discovered America and this drove his interest in Norse history. He commissioned several works to commemorate the Norse explorer and the Norse people.

Erected in 1889 , Norumbega Tower is a hidden gem located just west of Boston, MA. The tower stands 38 foot tower and is made of mortared field stones with a stone spiral staircase.

A locked gate prevented access to the he tower, which has a spiral staircase inside the structure. I am not sure if it is open certain times of the year. There is also a bench near the tower and the path to the tower is paved. It is amazing how, after all of our extreme weather and other elements, the structure still stands. They just don’t make stone towers like this anymore.

The following is written in the inscription on the tower:

A.D. 1000 A.D. 1889

NORUMBEGA

CITY·COUNTRY·FORT·RIVER

NORUMBEGA = NOR MBEGA

INDIAN UTTERANGE OF NORBEGA THE ANCIENT FORM

OF NORVEGA·NORWAY·TO WHICH THE

REGION OF VINLAND WAS SUBJECT

CITY

AT, AND NEAR WATERTOWN

WHERE REMAIN TO-DAY

DOCKS·WHARVES·WALLS·DAMS·BASINS·

COUNTRY

EXTENDING FROM RHODE ISLAND TO THE ST. LAWRENCE

FIRST SEEN BY BJARNI HERJULFSON 985 A.D.

LANDFALL OF LEIF ERIKSON ON CAPE COD 1000 A.D.

NORSE CANALS·DAMS·WALLS·PAVEMENTS·

FORTS·TERRACED PLACES OF ASSEMBLY REMAIN TO-DAY

FORT

AT BASE OF TOWER AND REGION ABOUT

WAS OCCUPIED BY THE BRETON FRENCH IN THE

15TH 16TH AND 17TH CENTURIES

RIVER

THE CHARLES

DISCOVERED BY ··············

LEIF ERIKSON·1000 A.D.

EXPLORED BY ··············

THORWALD LEIF’S BROTHER·1003 A.D.

COLONIZED BY ··············

THORFINN KARLSEFNI·1007 A.D.

FIRST BISHOP ··············

ERIK GNUPSON·1121 A.D.

INDUSTRIES FOR 350 YEARS

MASUR·WOOD [BURRS]·FISH·FURS·AGRICULTURE·

LATEST NORSE SHIP RETURNED TO ICELAND IN 1347.

10 Comments | tags: Historical, Massachusetts, New England, Norumbega, photographs, Photography, photos, tower, Weston | posted in historical, Massachusetts, New England, Norumbega, photographs, photography, photos, tower, Uncategorized, Weston

April 21, 2017

Family Farm Fest (Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: April 15, 2017

Location: Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd.
Sturbridge, MA

Cost: Adults $28.00
Seniors (55 and over) $26.00
College Student (with valid college ID) $14
Youths (4-17) $14.00
Children age 3 and under Admitted Free

(if you do visit again within 10 days of the purchase of your ticket, your second visit is free)

Hours:

March – April
Open Wednesday – Sunday | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

Open Daily | April 15 – 23 | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

May – October
Open Wednesday – Sunday | 9:30 am – 5:00 pm

(hours vary upon the season)

Parking: Free parking with the purchase of a ticket is available for about a couple hundred cars.

Handicapped Accessible: Yes. Old Sturbridge Village offers handicapped parking, and , upon request, wheelchairs for some visitors. Only about half of their historic buildings are wheelchair accessible

Web Site: Old Sturbridge Village

Warmer temperatures and longer days of sunlight are not the only things coming to Old Sturbridge Village. The baby animals have also arrived!

Just in time for April school break, Old Sturbridge Village is home to a variety of barnyard animals. It is always a treat seeing the baby animals at the living history museum.

I have already made multiple visits to Old Sturbridge Village (click here to view my original post about my first visit there in July of 2016) and I am sure to make many more visits when they have fun events like this one.

Although they did not have as many animals as the Strawbery Banke Musuem’s baby animals exhibition, Old Sturbridge Village still had a wide variety of animals to view and, in some cases, pet.

Many of the animals, particularly the little ones, were pretty tuckered out after all that traveling and playing.

Meet Jake (on the left) and Patrick (on the right). They are donkeys who were rescued from a farm in Texas and are looking for a good home, if you’re interested!

In the fields in the middle of the common area, there were chickens, alpacas and pigs and other animals in their pens.

This mommy hen was digging for food for her chicks.

There were also living actors playing parts of the people from that era (the 1830s). They also interacted with the audience and they were very informative.

Fun fact: it took a shoemaker about one whole day to make…that’s right one shoe. One. Well, I guess it’s a “fun fact” unless you’re one of the shoemakers.

Okay, nerd alert: I could listen to these living actors (I hope they’re “living”) all day. But, I couldn’t spend too long as I had photos to take and only so much time to spend there. One day, I plan on just spending the entire day and taking it all in.

These aren’t real actors in case you were wondering (although in the first photo, the woman looking mannequin looks like a ghost). These mannequins are dressed in common attire of the day.

The kids got a blast out of the firing of the musket (he was shooting blanks).

Thiss gentleman was building the frame of a house, with a little help from some friends.

Of course, I couldn’t resist taking photos of the beautiful buildings and landscapes at the village.

9 Comments | tags: animals, Massachusetts, New England, Old Sturbridge Village, photographs, Photography, photos, Sturbridge | posted in animals, historical, history, Massachusetts, museum, New England, Old Sturbridge Village, photographs, photography, photos, Sturbridge, Uncategorized

April 14, 2017

DrainSmart (Salem, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: April 9, 2017

Locations: Throughout Salem, MA

Highlights: DrainSmart Mural Project, sights and sounds of Salem

Think twice before you drop that seemingly harmless piece of paper on the sidewalk. That is what the DrainSmart murals located throughout the city of Salem, MA, seem to be saying.

The DrainSmart Program was created to help create awareness of how littering causes so much pollution in our waters. As the murals state, everything that enters the sewers drains to the ocean.

There were 12 murals planned for the city. I photographed 5 of the best looking works. Unfortunately, I could not locate some of the others or the others I did find had been worn away by pedestrian foot traffic and the elements.

Click here to see what they were supposed to look like.

The DrainSmart murals weren’t the only works of art or signs in the area.

Halloween isn’t the only time people dress up in Salem. The Commonwealth Vintage Dancers held a Regency Dance Weekend in Salem, MA, while I was visiting. The participants all wore attire that represented the time they were recreating.

Whenever I am in Salem, I am always taken by the historical significance and the architecture of the area. This building, the Witch House, is the last standing structure with direct ties to the Salem Witch Trials. In this house suspected witches and other people who were considered witnesses were tortured and threatened to confess to participating in witchcraft or witnessing witches.

It’s also fun just walking around and checking out the sights and sounds of Salem, particularly on such a pleasant spring day. They are building a hotel on Essex St and I noticed on the side of this building an old sign for Pickman Place.

It’s always refreshing for me to see buildings that have stood the test of time and still stand today, even if they may have different tenants. I may have an unhealthy attachment to historical buildings and landmarks. They bind us together. In a world that is ever changing and making way for new and better, it’s important to keep our history close at hand as well. Imagine all of the different people who have walked those same streets, enjoyed the very same entertainers we have. These streets could tell stories.

This side street where the Salem Witch Trials Memorial stands will be packed shoulder to shoulder in a mere 200 days. On this day it was desolate.

As was the mall. There is something about the Museum Mall in Salem that seems creepy and kind of scary when there’s not a crowd there.

There were also musicians out in the warm weather. You might not recognize the second musician. He usually plays his instrument with a mask at the very same location during the Halloween season.

There were also some very cute dogs out in Salem during my visit.

Mojo is a 4 year old Airedale and Pointer rescue from Tennessee.

Duke is a 9 month old Hungarian Vizsla. I wonder if he’s related to Dennis?

10 Comments | tags: art, buildings, dogs, historic, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, Salem | posted in art, buildings, dogs, historical, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Salem, Uncategorized

January 19, 2017

Williamsburg General Store (Williamsburg, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: January 14, 2017

Location: 12 Main St, Williamsburg, MA

Hours: Open daily, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Parking: There are about 5 parking spots in front of the store and room for about a dozen more cars in the rear parking lot.

Handicapped Accessible: There is a ramp on the side of thhe store but it may still be difficult getting through the entrance door.

Highlights: Daily baked bread and other baked goods, ice cream parlor, historical

Web Site: Williamsburg General Store

As a youngster, I used to love the family trips to New Hampshire and other far flung parts of Massachusetts. One of the sharpest memories I have are visiting the local general store (I especially liked the old time “penny candy”, funny how somethings never change).

A recent search on Google retrieved 3 general stores in the Western Mass area (basically west of Springfield, MA). While their numbers are dwindling, these shops still exist and I was lucky enough to find one in my travels in Williamsburg, MA.

Since the weather has been cold and the trails icy, we nixed our plans to hike some of the trails in the area. Luckily, the Williamsburg General Store was located near the center of town.

The general store has been a staple of the town for over 140 years.

The general store, built in 1876, still has the original furnace that was used with the fireplace that once stood in the front part of the store. I couldn’t help to think of all of the famous, and not so famous, people who had walked through the store before me. It’s also survived the Depression, recessions and, not least of all, New England winters.

The general store seems custom built for tourists. Memories rushed over me as I walked past the stuffed animals, t shirts with quirky sayings and other tchotchkes you would only purchase when you’re on vacation for some reason. It is deceivingly long inside.

The ice cream parlor area used to be a post office years ago. There is a table and chairs to sit down at and enjoy your coffee, ice cream or other treats. And the bread, pastry and other bake goods are baked fresh everyday by one of the employees who travels at least half an hour each way to work there.

It’s not dumb luck this store has lasted so long. The nostalgia, homey feel and pleasant staff make this place a great shop to stop by on one of your journeys to Western Massachusetts.

16 Comments | tags: general store, Historical, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, Western Massachusetts | posted in general store, historical, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Uncategorized, western massachusetts, Williamsburg

January 4, 2017

Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge (Hardwick-Ware, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: December 26, 2016

Location: Bridge St (no really, it’s called Bridge St) and Old Gilbertville Rd, Ware – Hardwick, MA

Cost: Free

Hours:Open everyday, 24 hours a day

Parking: Despite the signs to the contrary, you can park on the side of the road on Bridge St. Parking isn’t available on the other side which leads to Old Gilbertville Rd.

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

Highlights: Covered Bridge in Central Mass

Many years ago, wooden bridges, particularly covered bridges used to dot the landscapes of Massachusetts.

Now, Massachusetts only has about a dozen covered bridges that you can drive on. Although it may not seem sturdy, the Ware-Hardwick Bridge, also known as the Granville Bridge because the bridge is in the unincorporated village of Gilbertville which is considered part of Hardwick, is one of the few remaining traffic worthy covered bridges in Massachusetts.

The Ware-Hardwick Bridge, or Hardwick-Ware Bridge depending on which way you’re traveling, is 139.1 feet long and is 130.9 feet at its largest span. It is 19.7 feet wide and 14.4 feet tall. I suspect trucks would have to seek alternate routes because of the low clearance. But, according to the state Department of Transportation, there currently is no weight limit for vehicles passing through. Trucks wouldn’t typically use this bridge, in any event, since it is located on a side road.

The Ware-Hardwick Bridg crosses the Ware River which was relatively calm and iced over in some parts during my visit.

The bridge, which is a covered through lattice wooden single-web, double-chord truss design, was originally built in 1887 according to public records, despite the sign bearing the year 1886 just above the entrance on the Ware side. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 8, 1986, roughly 100 years after it was originally built.

The original bridge only had a capacity of 6 “short tons” (5.4 tons). It was closed down in 2002 to restore the structural integrity of the bridge due in part to an insect infestation. The bridge re-opened in October, 2010 after a $1.9 million restoration project.

Fun fact: the bridge was one of the few bridges to survive a major flooding on the Ware River in 1936.

Below is a video of us driving over the bridge.

30 Comments | tags: bridge, Hardwick, Historical, history, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, Ware, Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge | posted in historical, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Uncategorized

January 2, 2017

Geographical Center Of Massachusetts (Rutland, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: December 26, 2016

Location: Central Tree Rd, Rutland, MA (I can give you the exact address if you are planning on visiting) (about half an hour northwest of Worcester, MA and 1 hour west of Boston, MA)

Hours: Everyday, 24 hours a day

Cost: Free

Parking: You can park on the side of street or park at one of the farms or stables on the road and walk over to it

Handicapped Accessible: Ye

Dog Friendly: Yes

Highlight: A maple tree planted at the geographical center of the state of MA

This may look like any ordinary tree, an ordinary maple tree to be exact. But, it is actually a very special tree.

The tree located on appropriately named Central Tree Rd is the marker for the exact geographical center of the state of Massachusetts.

Previously, an Elm tree stood there but it died of Dutch Elm disease around 1969. The red maple tree was planted as a replacement.

A small wooden fence with a sign on it marks the center of the state.

I’m sure the residents love all the attention.

13 Comments | tags: Attraction, fun, Historical, landmark, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, Rutland, tree | posted in historical, landmark, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, trees, Uncategorized

July 6, 2016

Coggeshall Farm Museum (Bristol, RI)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: June 18, 2016

Location: 1 Colt Drive, Bristol, Rhode Island (about half an hour from Providence and 1 hour from Boston, MA) (401) 253-9062

Hours: presently open Tue-Sun 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

December 15 – April 15
Open Weekends, 10 am to 4 pm
Open February 16 – 21, 2016 for February vacation

April 15 – December 15
Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm.

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Cost:

Weekdays

Adults: $5
Seniors: $3
Children (3–12): $3
Children under 3: Free

Weekends

Adults: $7
Seniors: $5
Children (3–12): $5
Children under 3: Free

You can also purchase a membership for unlimited visits, free access to special events and discounts at their gift shop. If you plan on going more than once or twice a year and especially if you go with your family, the membership is probably the best rate:

Individual membership: $25

Couples: $35

Family: $50

Parking: There is a space for about 4 or 5 cars across from Coggeshall Farm. You can also park at Colt State Park, which is adjacent to the farm but you may have to pay a fee to enter the park.

Size: 48 acres

Time To Allot For Visit: About An Hour

Dog Friendly: No (except for guide dogs)

Highlights: living museum, character actors, farm animals, historic style homes

Coggeshall Farm Museum

You often find the most wonderful places in the most unexpected places. On an otherwise nondescript trail at Colt State Park used for cycling and running, lies a farm frozen in time.

Established in 1973, the Coggeshall Museum Farm features interpreters and authentic reenactments of farm life in the year 1799. Every last detail from the tools they use to the bedding (mostly hay) is authentic to the time it represents.

I loved the houses and workshops at Coggeshall. The homes and interiors were definitely the highlight of the trip for me. The rooms were modest and fairly bare (and I thought my room was small).

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Even the papers and bills in the houses are accurate to those days. They don’t accept them as legal tender though, in case you were wondering.

Coggeshall Farm Museum also has a variety of animals. When I came to visit there were 2 steer, 11 sheep and several chickens, turkeys and other fowl. I also got to see some newly hatched chicks.

When I asked how long they keep the animals there I was told they usually live 6 to 8 years and then they have a “retirement plan.” Yes, everything gets used at the farm.

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There were several character actors working during my visit. This gentleman was cutting wood to store (it’s never too early to get ready for long, chilly winter nights). When I asked how long it would take to cut all the wood he said, “util it is done”. Where has that work ethic gone?

The grounds are well kept and very pretty. They also have a large grazing area for the animals.

Then there was Moe – the resident cat and pest control manager. He was very friendly and playful as you can see. Believe it or not, the chipmunk he’s hunting and carrying so gently escaped only a little worse for the wear.

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Coggeshall Farm also lets the patrons partake in some tasks (such as cutting wood) as long as it is supervised and they have many events throughout the year such as Arts On The Farm and Farm Camp. Check their website for more details.

12 Comments | tags: animals, attractions, Bristol, farm, Historical, museum, New England, parks, photographs, Photography, photos, Rhode Island, scenic, travel | posted in animals, cats, historical, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Rhode Island, Uncategorized

July 4, 2016

Old Sturbridge Village (Sturbridge, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: July 2, 2016

Location: 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd, Sturbridge, MA 508-347-3362 (about 45 minutes east of Springfield, MA and an hour west of Boston, MA)

Hours: presently, open Daily | 9:30 am – 5:00 pm

November 1-27
Open Wednesday through Sunday | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

December 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23
Christmas by Candlelight | 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Fri/Sat/Sun
Please Note: CLOSED during daytime hours
CLOSED December 24, 25

Cost: $28 for adult, $26 for seniors (55 and over), $14 for youths (3-17), children under 3 are admitted free. They also have annual long family memberships.

Parking: about 200 parking spots, fills up quickly. Cars were parked on the grass and other non designated parking spaces when we left because of the large crowd

Time To Allot For Visit: I could spend all day here but 3 hours should do it.

Dog Friendly: No

Highlights: historical actors and portrayal of life in the colonial area era, historical homes, animals, family friendly events, special events throughout the year, stagecoach rides

Old Sturbridge Village

What better time than the fourth of July to take a trip back to the colonial days of our country where they relive those early days everyday?

Old Sturbridge Village is 200 acre living museum which recreates life in rural New Ebgland during the 1790’s through the 1830’s. It is the largest living museum in New England.

As you enter the grounds of Sturbridge Village you see flags that represent fallen servicemen and women.

From the moment you walk into the museum, there are symbols and characters from the past everywhere.

The day began appropriately with the flag raising. One of the historical actors selected two children from the crowd to help him raise the flag.

Throughout the day there were many more reenactments. There was the firing of the cannons, marching, drilling and even musket firing (with blanks of course).

Of course, the houses are one of the biggest attractions. The woman in this house was making stays. This house is called the “Small House.”

The Meetinghouse is another big attraction. For 100 years, Friends, also known as Quakers, worshiped in this building. This particular meetinghouse was originally set in Bolton, MA. As you can see by the photos, there was no pulpit, altar, statues or other decorative symbols. Men and women entered the meetinghouse separately in different entrances and sat on separate sides of the building. The Quakers are remembered for their temperance and anti slavery beliefs.

While the exterior of the houses were very pretty, the interior of the houses were even nicer. It also gave you a real feel of what it was like to live back then. The historical actors were both entertaining and engaging.

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The other great thing about the village was the animals. Meet Jim and Jerry (from left to right). Jim and Jerry are the horses who drive the carry all wagon.

There were also a variety of farm animals. This sheep was wandering around until he heard his mom calling out to him for feeding time and he came running.

The rest of the animals at the village were just as beautiful.

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The village also has little shops and buildings with craftsman and people common to the era like a blacksmith and a tin maker as well as a band call the Quintebrass who played patriotic music of that era.

You could spend all day visiting the many buildings and attractions at the village or just taking in the beautiful views and atmosphere of the area.

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Sturbridge Village even has toys from the era that kids (or adults) can play with.

The River Ride on the Quinebag takes you around the Quinebag River. The boat driver also gave a historical overview of the area. The ride costs $3 a person and lasts about 10-15 minutes.

On the way out, there was a nice surprise. We noticed a building set off to the side; the J. Cheney Wells Clock Gallery. The clock gallery was a quiet clock museum. It was fascinating seeing the evolution of time keeping and it felt like a library because it was quiet and set off by itself. It was a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the historical museum area.

There is also a cafe there (most of their food is cooked outside barbecue style during the warmer seasons and the smell is sure to make you hungry). There are also several comfort stations scattered around the area.

Below are some videos of the various recreations at Sturbridge Village.

The first cannon firing below was just to get the debris out of the cannon and prep it for the actual cannon firing which is in the second cannon firing video below the first cannon firing video. The second video is a little long because the men wanted to wait until the stagecoach passed by so they didn’t startle the horse.

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14 Comments | tags: animals, attractions, Historical, history, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, travel, trees | posted in animals, historical, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Uncategorized

June 13, 2016

Fort Taber/Fort Rodman Park (New Bedford, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Visited: June 11, 2016

Location: 1000 Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford, MA

Parking: There are about 70-100 spots or so in the park itself but plenty of off street parking as well.

Cost: Free

Hours: Dawn until dusk
Dog Friendly: It sure is!

Highlights: forts, lighthouse, jetty, beach, war memorials, walking trails, playground with slides and swings for children (or adults if you’re so inclined), military museum, war reenactments, pretty views

The highlight of the park for most visitors has to be the jetty. Fishing off the jetty, or anywhere else at the park is allowed. But, they have a strict “catch and release” policy because most of the fish are contaminated with PCB (poly-chlorinated bipenyls). So, they would not be safe to eat. PCB’s are known cancer causing toxins. The New Bedford Harbor is lined with these cancer-causing toxins that were released into the harbor between 1938 and 1973 by factories such as the electrical component manufacturer Aerovox. The harbor is in the process of being cleaned. But, it could take many more years before the job is complete.

Seashells and seaweed were scattered along the bridge, evidence of some recent stormy seas.

There are so many beautiful views and interesting things at Fort Taber Park. The lighthouse in the photos is the

Since New Bedford has been known for its whaling and seafaring history, the park (and all of New Bedford) is also known for its lighthouses. In the background of the fort in the photo below you can see Clarks Point Lighthouse, first originally built in 1797 (it was replaced with a stone tower in 1804).

The lighthouse below is the Butler Flats Lighthouse, originally built in 1898.

There are several war memorials dedicated to the men and women of Fall River who have served their country, with a specific emphasis on those who were killed in action.

The memorial below is a Vietnam War Memorial that really stood out to me. If you look closely at the board in the final photo, you can see photos of the service people from New Bedford who were killed in the war. Everything about this memorial has meaning. The 43 stars on the memorial represent all of the 43 people from New Bedford who died in Vietnam. The outline of Vietnam is in orange as a reference to Agent Orange who died from Agent Orange. Even the service ribbons on the memorial have meaning. The blue ribbon represents the National Defense Ribbon which is representative of everyone who served in Vietnam. The other two ribbons represent in country veterans. The two plants at the memorial signify life.

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There are also several memorials to all of the 20th century wars America has been in, although I did not notice any memorials for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. I am assuming this may be because those actions are still not officially over even if we have pulled out most of our military presence in those places.

A tribute does stand for Army Staff Sargent Joseph Camara of New Bedford, MA, who was killed in action on September 1, 2003 while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom when the humvee he was traveling in hit a land mine. He was serving with the 115th Military Police Company as a member of the Rhode Island National Guard in the Iraq War. He was 40 years old when he died. He was also a member of the New Bedford Police Department. His memorial is located at the bottom of the gallery below.

There is also a replica of a Sherman tank stands as a tribute to the LST amphibious force T-4 who lost their lives in training for the invasion on D-Day. During the training exercises, sadly, many men lost their lives training for the invasion.

While I was visiting it was 17th century drill day. Reenactors from the Dartmouth militia, in full 17th century garb, showed how weapons were used, described the different types of warfare of the day and answered any questions the public had.

The staff also allowed visitors inside Fort Taber. The guide explained they stopped using this Civil War fort once the ballistics that were used became too effective against the barricades of the fort.

Grass and rust had overtaken what was once a formidable fortification.

One of the best parts of my visit – on the way to my car, I saw this man and woman playing their instruments.

One of the great things I noticed about the New Bedford area as I walked around taking photos and from the crowd at Fort Taber is the diversity of the cultures and people of the area. The photographs above illustrate this. The music sounded like it had an up tempo flamenco influence. It sounded beautiful. And I love their attire.

Fort Taber/Fort Rodman is a dog friendly park. The park is a great place for dogs. There are miles of trails for your dog to wander.