Image 1 of 99
We have been welcomed!
Image 2 of 99
It's a representation of a farming village from the 1830's
Image 3 of 99
Inside one of the homes, this guy was mostly decoration . . .
Image 4 of 99
Ride the stage around town for $5. We didn't . . .
Image 5 of 99
A lot of the exhibits focused on home crafts - this one on dyed wool
Image 6 of 99
Most progress is good . . .
Image 7 of 99
Maybe that's taking togetherness a bit too far . . .
Image 8 of 99
The fall colors were just beginning to show . . .
Image 9 of 99
Looks old, but it's a purpose-built modern restaurant . . .
Image 10 of 99
A 19th century printing shop, much like the one Al used in high school . . .
Image 11 of 99
Except for all the yelling school kids, it was like a trip back in time . . .
Image 12 of 99
Al tried on a new body . . .
Image 13 of 99
The progression from home industry to factory was evident in several displays
Image 14 of 99
We like glasswork, and they have some neat stuff
Image 15 of 99
Getting water wasn't easy. Wonder how well this worked in winter?
Image 16 of 99
This house dates to 1796, and was moved from Charlton MA, near Salem
Image 17 of 99
That's not a bricked-up fireplace - the fire was in the basement, and provided heat to that oven
Image 18 of 99
The guy who shot the musket drew a crowd . .
Image 19 of 99
We rested our feet and took a peaceful boat ride on the local river
Image 20 of 99
More fall colors, but no wildlife . .
Image 21 of 99
There are a couple of picturesque covered bridges in the complex.
Image 22 of 99
These leaves were in mid-turn, with multiple colors per leaf.
Image 23 of 99
Some parts of the village were quite peaceful
Image 24 of 99
There were fish in the millpond, probably not as curious as they looked to us
Image 25 of 99
The old sawmill was very interesting
Image 26 of 99
And so was this grizzled character who ran it
Image 27 of 99
Squirrel!
Image 28 of 99
The wool carding mill was fascinating - mechanically getting all the wool fibers aligned before spinning
Image 29 of 99
The blacksmith shop produced many nice sounds
Image 30 of 99
A tire stone is used to mount iron "tires" on wooden wagon wheels. Never knew that . . .
Image 31 of 99
Inside, the smith explained what he was doing . . .
Image 32 of 99
These ladies cooked up some neat stuff, but wouldn't let us eat any . . .
Image 33 of 99
In the cooperage, barrels and buckets get built
Image 34 of 99
The kids liked the farm animals, Not sure how the animals felt about the kids
Image 35 of 99
In the pottery, local clay is turned into dishes
Image 36 of 99
This is all stuff waiting to be fired in the kiln
Image 37 of 99
The kiln is fired about once a year, and they also fire bricks used to repair it
Image 38 of 99
This Friends Meeting house was built in 1796, and served the Quaker community of Bolton MA
Image 39 of 99
The old Sturbridge Congregational Church, built in 1832, was somewhat more elaborate
Image 40 of 99
The inside features pew boxes that were "owned" by local families. Poor folks sat in the balcony.
Image 41 of 99
This expressive guy explained and played the church pipe organ
Image 42 of 99
Next stop, the McCarthy home in Wilton CT, to visit niece Lisa and her family
Image 43 of 99
Patrick and daughter Niamh were chopping wood when we arrived . . .
Image 44 of 99
They were stockpiling firewood for winter, using up a tree that was blown over in a storm
Image 45 of 99
We tucked into a corner of the driveway for a week's stay . . .
Image 46 of 99
Homework was a daily ritual - Niamh and Aiden apply themselves
Image 47 of 99
In anticipation of an airport run to pick up her parents, Lisa cleans the van
Image 48 of 99
We made the the airport run and brought Jan & Denny to catch Lisa and Patrick at the local train station as Patrick left for Ireland
Image 49 of 99
Grandma Jan and Aiden . . .
Image 50 of 99
Mom and daugher at the backyard fire ring
Image 51 of 99
Jan tries her hand at a computer game. Aiden, the master, explains
Image 52 of 99
Liam and Niamh help mom clean up after dinner
Image 53 of 99
Denny does his dad thing and replaces a light switch
Image 54 of 99
We took Jan & Denny to Mystic Seaport in Mystic CT, arguably the best maritime museum in the country
Image 55 of 99
Lots of old ships and things maritime to explore, and a great day to do it
Image 56 of 99
Below decks in an old fishing boat was pretty confined
Image 57 of 99
Note the cupboard doors adapted to avoid knocking heads . . .
Image 58 of 99
Judy spotted a stowaway . . .
Image 59 of 99
How they preserved fish back then. The result was like fishy plastic
Image 60 of 99
Among the old buildings, this lifeboat station
Image 61 of 99
The harbor is very relaxing, and you can take boat rides if you want
Image 62 of 99
Not all ships are restored - this one they left as they found it
Image 63 of 99
Not a lot of headroom . . .
Image 64 of 99
The views are very peaceful
Image 65 of 99
Inside a rope-making shed.
Image 66 of 99
This ship is restored on the outside, but inside it's a modern dormitory for summer sailing programs
Image 67 of 99
Built in Denmark in 1882, it's a bit bigger than Jan & Denny's boat
Image 68 of 99
Lots of fun buildings in the village
Image 69 of 99
We don't wanna grow up . . .
Image 70 of 99
Neither do we . . .
Image 71 of 99
All the medical essentials in the apothacary . . . if you ever need a leech or three . . .
Image 72 of 99
The doctor's examining table, circa 1850. Bucket's a nice touch . . .
Image 73 of 99
The wood carver's shop was most interesting . . .
Image 74 of 99
They do lots of projects for the village
Image 75 of 99
In the general store, all the essentials. Need a washboard or butter churn?
Image 76 of 99
The seaport's pride is the CW Morgan, America's oldest commercial ship still afloat
Image 77 of 99
Built in 1841, this whaler made 37 successful voyages, most lastng 2-3 years
Image 78 of 99
It was completely rebuilt and made it's 38th voyage this past summer, visiting several New England ports
Image 79 of 99
The ship chandlery, where everything a ship needed was for sale, and Denny couldn't buy any of it.
Image 80 of 99
The sundial was about 40 minutes slow this day . . .
Image 81 of 99
One night, Judy, Jan and Lisa went to a Tapas cooking class . . .
Image 82 of 99
Lots of Spanish nibblies were created
Image 83 of 99
And consumed
Image 84 of 99
It was a fundraiser for a local demonstration farm
Image 85 of 99
One day, the five adults visited Kykuit, the family estate of the Rockefeller family, near Sleepy Hollow NY
Image 86 of 99
We couldn't take pictures inside, so lots of pictures of the outside artwork
Image 87 of 99
Originally built by oil tycoon John D Rockefeller, it was lived in by four generations of Rockefellers
Image 88 of 99
Much of the modern artwork was added by Nelson Rockefeller, US Vice-President under Gerald Ford
Image 89 of 99
Corpulance comes in many forms
Image 90 of 99
The 40-room mansion was given to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1979
Image 91 of 99
Some of the more classical works of art were installed when the home was built from 1906-13
Image 92 of 99
The former carraige house is now a conference center and automobile museum
Image 93 of 99
And everwhere you look, leaves turning color
Image 94 of 99
As we left, this idyllic old mill just begged for a picture
Image 95 of 99
Next day, we took Lisa to the airport for her flight to Ireland
Image 96 of 99
One day, we gave everybody a chance to play on our mobility scooters. Niamh and Liam had a good time
Image 97 of 99
And so did Jan and Denny
Image 98 of 99
Through it all, Tilly calmly watched it all . . .
Image 99 of 99
And too soon it was time to head out. So we end here . . .