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April School Vacation Week at Old Sturbridge Village Apr. 19-27

(STURBRIDGE, MA): April school vacation week offerings at Old Sturbridge village always include one of the most popular "hands-on" activities of the entire year - petting the newborn lambs.

This year promises to be more fun than ever, because Old Sturbridge Village is expecting a barnyard "baby boom," with more than a dozen newborn lambs due just in time for petting during school vacation week April 19-27 and more lambs due to arrive shortly after.

"Our visitors are especially excited because some of our sheep are expecting twins," says Adam Halterman, OSV's coordinator of agriculture. "For ewes, labor and delivery is a quick process and the newborn lambs are usually up on their feet and nursing within 20 minutes."

Old Sturbridge Village sheep are a heritage breed descended from sheep brought by Spaniards to the U.S. Gulf coast in the 1500s. They closely resemble the 19th century sheep breed commonly found on New England farms in the 1830s.

While petting newborn lambs is one of the village's all-time favorite activities for kids of all ages, OSV's staff of historic interpreters has plenty more planned to keep kids busy during April vacation. The village has a large indoor craft center and more than 40 historic buildings, so the fun happens rain or shine. Should the weather be rainy or chilly, there are lots of indoor crafts and cozy hearthside activities planned a nice alternative. Kids can learn how to churn butter and write with old-fashioned quill pens, make clay pots and tin candle holders, watch a musket-firing demonstration and enjoy a 19th century puppet show. For fresh air and outdoor fun a scavenger hunt throughout the village is offered daily, with prizes for those who complete the hunt.

Old Sturbridge Village celebrates New England life in the 1830s and is open Tues. - Sun. 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Beginning April 21, OSV will extend its hours to 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. seven days a week. Admission: $20; seniors $18; children 3-17, $6; children under 3, free. For times and details: www.osv.org or call 1-800-SEE-1830.

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A detailed listing of April School Vacation week activities follows:

OSV School Vacation Week Activity Schedule

All programs are subject to change. For times and details of all OSV activities visit: www.osv.org or call 1-800-SEE-1830.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

• Old Sturbridge Village Dancers demonstrate 19th century dances; visitors can join:
  11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Soap making at the Freeman Farm - all day
• Free "plant a seed" activity: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
• Write with a quill pen activity - throughout the day
• Meet the baby animals at the Freeman Farm - 12:00 noon
• Period school lessons - 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• Forging an iron hook - 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Make a cookie cutter - 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Make a clay pot - 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Dip a candle - 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Make a tin candle holder - 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Musket firing demonstration - daily 1:00 p.m.
• 19th century puppet show - throughout the day

Sunday, April 20, 2008

• Soap making at the Freeman Farm - all day
• Free "plant a seed" activity: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
• Write with a quill pen activity - throughout the day
• Meet the baby animals at the Freeman Farm - 12:00 noon
• Period school lessons - 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• Forging an iron hook - 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Make a cookie cutter - 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Make a clay pot - 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Dip a candle - 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Make a tin candle holder - 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Musket firing demonstration - daily 1:00 p.m.
• 19th century puppet show - throughout the day

Monday, April 21, 2008

• Magic Show - 11:00 a.m.; 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Junior Interns demonstrate cooking over the open hearth all day in the Fitch House
• Meet the baby animals at the Freeman Farm - 12:00 noon
• Period school lessons - 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• Free "plant a seed" activity: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
• Make a Militia hat 10:00 a.m. -12:00 noon
• Write with a quill pen activity - throughout the day
• Woodland Walk tour - 1:00 p.m.
• Help churn butter - 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
• Forging an iron hook - 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Make a cookie cutter - 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Make a clay pot - 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Dip a candle - 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Make a tin candle holder - 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Musket-firing demonstration - daily 1:00 p.m.
• 19th century puppet show - throughout the day

Patriots Day Performances - April 21 - throughout the day:

• "Grandma Remembers the Revolutionary War"
• "A Look at the History of our American Flag"; flag-raising ceremony on the common
• Kids - "Join the Sturbridge Militia" - Learn how to march and fire a musket
• "The Citizen Soldier" - Visit with a member of the Sturbridge 1830's Volunteer Militia

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

• Free "plant a seed" activity: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
• Meet the baby animals at the Freeman Farm - 12:00 noon
• Write with a quill pen activity - throughout the day
• Help churn butter - 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
• Woodland Walk tour - 1:00 p.m.
• Period school lessons - 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• Forging an iron hook - 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Make a cookie cutter - 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Make a clay pot - 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Dip a candle - 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Make a tin candle holder - 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Musket-firing demonstration - daily 1:00 p.m.
• 19th century puppet show - throughout the day

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

• Free "plant a seed" activity: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
• Meet the baby animals at the Freeman Farm - 12:00 noon
• Write with a quill pen activity - throughout the day
• Help churn butter - 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
• Woodland Walk tour - 1:00 p.m.
• Period school lessons - 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• Forging an iron hook - 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Make a cookie cutter ¬- 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Make a clay pot - 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Dip a candle - 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Make a tin candle holder - 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Musket-firing demonstration - daily 1:00 p.m.
• 19th century puppet show - throughout the day

Thursday, April 24, 2008

• Magic Show - 11:00 a.m.; 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Free "plant a seed" activity: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
• Meet the baby animals at the Freeman Farm - 12:00 noon
• Write with a quill pen activity - throughout the day
• Help churn butter - 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
• Woodland Walk tour - 1:00 p.m.
• Period school lessons - 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• Forging an iron hook - 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Make a cookie cutter ¬- 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Make a clay pot - 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Dip a candle - 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Make a tin candle holder - 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Musket-firing demonstration - daily 1:00 p.m.
• 19th century puppet show - throughout the day

Friday, April 25, 2008

• Free "plant a seed" activity: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
• Meet the baby animals at the Freeman Farm - 12:00 noon
• Write with a quill pen activity - throughout the day
• Help churn butter - 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
• Woodland Walk tour - 1:00 p.m.
• Period school lessons - 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• Forging an iron hook - 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Make a cookie cutter ¬- 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Make a clay pot - 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Dip a candle - 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Make a tin candle holder - 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Musket-firing demonstration - daily 1:00 p.m.
• 19th century puppet show - throughout the day

Saturday, April 26, 2008

• Magic Show - 11:00 a.m.; 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Free "plant a seed" activity: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
• Meet the baby animals at the Freeman Farm - 12:00 noon
• Write with a quill pen activity - throughout the day
• Help churn butter - 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
• Woodland Walk tour - 1:00 p.m.
• Period school lessons - 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• Forging an iron hook - 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Make a cookie cutter ¬- 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Make a clay pot - 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Dip a Candle (1:00 to 4:30 - Craft Center $5.00 Fee)
• Make a tin candle holder - 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Musket-firing demonstration - daily 1:00 p.m.
• 19th century puppet show - throughout the day

Sunday, April 27, 2008

• Free "plant a seed" activity: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
• Meet the baby animals at the Freeman Farm - 12:00 noon
• Write with a quill pen activity - throughout the day
• Help churn butter - 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
• Woodland Walk tour - 1:00 p.m.
• Period school lessons - 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• Forging an iron hook - 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Make a cookie cutter ¬- 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Make a clay pot - 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Craft Center ($10.00 fee)
• Dip a Candle (1:00 to 4:30 - Craft Center $5.00 Fee)
• Make a tin candle holder - 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Craft Center ($5.00 fee)
• Musket-firing demonstration - daily 1:00 p.m.
• 19th century puppet show - throughout the day