Old Sturbridge Village FAQ
 | Where is OSV? |
| Why is the Village's logo a grasshopper? |
| What is Old Sturbridge Village? |
| How long should I plan for my visit? |
| Is there an additional charge for the second day visit? |
| How large is the Village? |
| Is admission required to shop or dine? |
| Does Old Sturbridge Village have gift certificates? |
| Where may I eat at Old Sturbridge Village? How about picnicking? Is it okay to bring food in? |
| What transportation options are available to OSV from Boston? |
| Is there an extra charge for the horse-drawn sleigh or wagon ride? |
| Does Old Sturbridge Village rent strollers? |
| Are wheelchairs available for touring the Village? |
| Are there overnight accommodations at Old Sturbridge Village? |
| Is there parking for RVs and campers at the Village? |
| May I bring my pet to Old Sturbridge Village? |
| What else is there to do and see in the Sturbridge area? |
| Where is OSV? OSV is located at the intersection of I-90 (Mass. Pike) and I-84 just about an hour west of Boston. Driving directions are available here.  Back to top |
| Why is the Village's logo a grasshopper?
According to ancient folk belief, the grasshopper was not born but emerged directly from the earth itself. As a rural museum the Village was likewise "sprung from the soil." In 1956 - ten years after its official opening - the Grasshopper was adopted by Old Sturbridge Village as a fitting symbol. Back to top |
| What is Old Sturbridge Village? Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) is a history museum and learning resource that invites all visitors to find meaning, pleasure, relevance, and inspiration in the exploration of New England's past. It is a nonprofit, educational museum that is open year-round. The centerpiece of the museum is a re-created rural New England town of the 1830s set on more than 200 acres of historical landscape, encompassing a Center Village, Mills Area, and Countryside. Back to top |
| How long should I plan for my visit? While an average visit is between three-and-a-half to four hours, a number of visitors choose to return for a second day. Back to top |
| Is there an additional charge for the second day visit? No! Each admission ticket to Old Sturbridge Village is good for two days within a 10-day period! You'll want to be sure and validate your ticket before leaving so that you'll be set to return for your second free day. As an added bonus, if you bring others with you on your return visit, they will receive a 25% discount on their admission to the Village! Back to top |
| How large is the Village? OSV is the largest outdoor living history museum in the northeast. The historical landscape of more than 200 acres includes more than 40 structures including restored buildings brought from across New England as well as some authentic reconstructions. Back to top |
| Is admission required to shop or dine? While the Miner Grant Store and Bake Shop and Bullard Tavern are inside the museum, some opportunities to dine and shop, including the Oliver Wight Tavern and Village Cafe, and the Museum Gift Shop and New England Bookstore, are located outside the museum, so no admission is required. Back to top |
| Does Old Sturbridge Village have gift certificates? Yes, OSV sells gift certificates at the Museum Gift Shop and also online. They can be redeemed at the Visitor Center, any of the Shops at Old Sturbridge Village (including the Miner Grant Store & Bake Shop on the Common), and any of the places for dining during your visit. They may also be redeemed for hands-on crafts in the Dennison Building and the Quinebaug River Ride during your visit, or for other programs such as Crafts at Close Range and Discovery Camps. If you have questions about how your gift certificate may be used, you may call 800-SEE-1830 or email osvinfo@osv.org. Back to top |
| Where may I eat at Old Sturbridge Village? How about picnicking? Is it okay to bring food in? Several dining opportunities are available for visitors to Old Sturbridge Village. At the entrance to the museum (admission is not required) is the Oliver Wight Tavern, serving lunch Wednesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and brunch on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Also at the entrance -- adjacent to the Museum Gift Shop -- is the Village Cafe, serving hot and cold beverages, fresh baked goods, soup, and sandwiches made to order from 1/2 hour before opening to 1/2 hour after closing on days the museum is open. In winter, the Bullard Tavern on the Common within the historical Village (admission required) is open for soup and beverages during Stew and Story, offered mid-day on days the museum is open, and twice on weekends. The Miner Grant Store, also inside the Village, serves hot and cold beverages and fresh baked goods, including our famous homemade cookies! As for picnicking, Old Sturbridge Village does welcome picnickers and provides a number of picnic tables, both within the historical museum (near the Village Grill) and in a pine grove at the top of the parking lot. Back to top |
| What transportation options are available to OSV from Boston? Peter Pan Bus Lines did offer daily service right to the museum's entrance, but has recently discontinued this service. Your next best bet would be a car rental or to look into shuttle service. Back to top |
| Is there an extra charge for the horse-drawn sleigh or wagon ride? No. Horse-drawn sleigh rides, which are offered on weekends in winter and during school vacation weeks in December and February, are included with Village admission. The sleigh, which seats approximately 16 people, runs when conditions are appropriate; otherwise the horses pull a wheeled carry-all around the Common. The sleigh (or wagon) runs throughout the day, though the horses do take a lunch break around mid-day. On weekends the rest of the year, plus daily in the summer and foliage season, you'll find the horses pulling the carry-all on a route around the mill pond. Back to top |
| Does Old Sturbridge Village rent strollers? Yes, the museum has strollers available for rent at the ticketing area on a first-come, first-served basis. The fee is $4, a driver's license is requested to be left as a security deposit, and strollers must be returned to the ticketing area at least 15 minutes before closing. Back to top |
| Are wheelchairs available for touring the Village? Yes, wheelchairs are available at the ticketing area. There is no charge for their use, but we do ask that a driver's license be left with ticketing staff as a security deposit. Also, we ask that wheelchairs be returned to the ticketing area within 15 minutes of museum closing. If a visitor brings his or her own wheelchair to tour the Village (motorized wheelchairs are also welcome), he or she is offered discounted admission, $10 for adults and $3.00 for youths (ages 3 to 17). With some exceptions, Village exhibits have wheelchair access. Back to top |
| Are there overnight accommodations at Old Sturbridge Village? Until 2006, Old Sturbridge Village operated the Lodges at Old Sturbridge Village, including the Oliver Wight House, on Route 20. The Lodges are no longer in operation, but there are many places to stay in the Sturbridge area, including inns, national chain hotels, and campgrounds. For more information, visit the Sturbridge Area Tourist Association's Web site at www.sturbridge.org. For a listing of bed-and-breakfasts in the area, see the Heritage Corridor Bed & Breakfast Group at www.HeritageCorridorBB.com. Back to top |
| Is there parking for RVs and campers at the Village? Yes. There is plenty of free parking, with spaces reserved for larger vehicles. While there are no facilities for overnight camping at the Village, there are a number of nearby campgrounds. Many are listed under "Campgrounds" at the bottom of the following link: http://www.sturbridge.org/lodging.htm Back to top |
| May I bring my pet to Old Sturbridge Village? We regret that an increase in incidents related to visitors' dogs required us to change our policy in this regard in early 2003. Service animals are welcome, but pets are no longer admitted to the Village. Back to top |
| What else is there to do and see in the Sturbridge area? Sturbridge is centrally located in Massachusetts, one hour west of Boston, approximately a half-hour southwest of Worcester and east of Springfield, and less than one hour northeast of Hartford and northwest of Providence. Back to top |