OSV in the Snow

While my brother was here, he and a friend of ours climbed Mt. Lafayette! And they made it to the summit! The top of Mt. Lafayette in the winter looks like another world, everything shrouded in snow and fog, 1 1/2-ft. long horizontal icicles (caused by the fierce winds), and an eerie sunlight illuminating the clouds.

While he was there, my sister-in-law and I took her kids and went to another world too! Our world here in New England in the 1830′s…Old Sturbridge Village in the snow! Everything looks so different in the wintertime!

In the Textile House (shown above) my niece practiced carding wool.

We came across this group of day-campers, who were apparently outfitted by OSV for their day’s (week’s?) adventure in the 1830′s.

My niece, a horse-lover, was very happy about taking a wagon (wagon’s not quite the right term, but you get the idea) pulled by these horses. My favorite part of the ride was going through the covered bridge in the village, where the driver asked us to be quiet so that we could hear a “common 19th century sound”, the sound of horse hooves on a wooden bridge and the sound of sleigh bells. Ahhh…positively transporting!

I love the Freeman Farm at any time of year. They were making candles in the kitchen when we were there (pics. didn’t turn out great though). I love how everything that was growing is now inside for the winter…squashes on the floor, herbs and apple rings drying.

The sheep were having their dinner.

On the hillside near the Freeman Farm were a bunch of hand-pegged, wooden sleds available for use! What fun! They went impressively well down the hill! I think I may have found a future project for Technohubby.

In sledding, the rule is: what goes down must come up. But it’s SO worth it!

Chilly, but fun day in the 19th century!