Ann Lindblad 508-795-0535; 508-886-2689 cell; alindblad@rdwgroup.com
(STURBRIDGE, MA) - Old Sturbridge Village celebrates Patriots Day in historic military style, with fife and drum music, a look at the history of the American flag, and much more. Kids can march with the Sturbridge Militia, learn how to fire a musket, make their own militia hat and see how musket balls were made.
"Soldiers in early New England had to make their own ammunition. Bullets didn't come in boxes - soldiers had to make their own musket balls," says Rob Lyon, lead blacksmith at Old Sturbridge Village."
On Patriots Day, OSV historians will demonstrate how soldiers hand-cast their own musket balls. Visitors can purchase the hand-made musket balls for $1.95 and take them to the village blacksmith, who will stamp the owners' initials on the musket balls.
Old Sturbridge Village celebrates New England life in the 1830s. Beginning Patriots Day, April 21, the village is open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 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 Patriots Day schedule follows:
Patriots Day Monday, April 21, 2008
Flag raising on the Common - 10:15 a.m.
Join the Sturbridge Militia - 10:45 a.m.
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
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.
A 1775 Massachusetts Minuteman meets an 1838 Volunteer Militia Man - 1:30 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:
Fife and Drum music performances - 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
All programs are subject to change. For times and details of all OSV activities visit: www.osv.org or call 1-800-SEE-1830.
