Old Sturbridge Village, MA; and Providence RI

In checking out the route from Pennsylvania to New Hampshire, there were very few RV campgrounds. But one area, Sturbridge, MA, had several. HAD being the word. Several I called had been severely damaged after a tornado in June hit the area, and were in the process of rebuilding. We wanted to be near there, one, because it was a little more than half way between Milton, PA and NH, and two, we wanted to visit Old Sturbridge Village.

Just behind the village, we saw evidence of the tornado everyone talked about. They did not lose any of their buildings, just a few trees.



The village was larger than we thought, and we spent all day there. It is very similar to Williamsburg in VA, but not as commercialized. There were several buildings, displays, and exhibits including

an original Grist Mill

historic Towne House


Organ recital at the Center Meetinghouse


Pottery shop,

with oven

Basket maker,

Tin maker,

and Carding Mill to make yarns.




Carriage rides were offered at the Bullard Tavern, where we ended up eating lunch (in a cafeteria downstairs)!


When we returned to the 21st century at the end of our tour of the village, we entered the Cheney Wells Clock Gallery, amazed at the variety and amount of clocks present.



The Fireplace Room was another exhibit that showed early examples of covers for the fireplace, when not in use. Here are just a couple of examples:



Before getting to the project in NH, we wanted to get Paul’s lab work done, so we went over to Southbridge, MA a bigger town with lab facilities. Could not resist taking this picture, taken in Southbridge.


On the way, we saw another sign for Providence, RI. We did not realize how close it was, so decided to go over there and have lunch. What a treat!
We had a tour of the State Capitol building



great paintings and carvings

and tapestries


Just walking down the historical street, we were able to see many of the original 1700’s buildings, including these old homes and town houses,


King Church, built 1722, now Cathedral of St. John,

the old State House,

and the First Baptist Church in America, established in 1638, building erected 1775




with the old collection plates still used today!


We found a cute little cafe to eat in, and although there was some graffiti, the ambience of the historical area we were in was relaxing, and pleasant.

After leaving Providence, on the way back to Sturbridge, I saw a sign for Purgatory Chasm. Curiosity is going to kill us one of these days....this was what we found!








It was a great hike!

We are now in New Durham, New Hampshire, vacation time over, and have started working at the project at Maranatha Ministries. That will be the next blog!