When you enter Old Sturbridge Village, you're immediately taken back in time.

"Here at Old Sturbridge Village we portray the decade of the 1830's that what our costumes reflect, that's what the architecture and furnishings of our buildings reflect. the tools and techniques we use reflect that decade of the 1830s the change of Great American Culture and i would argue that its really the beginning of Modern America in the 1820s and 30s," said Historian and Curator of Mechanical Art, Tom Kelleher. 

Kelleher says they show what historians call the beginning of the commercial revolution.

The start of being able to buy things from all over the world right in your hometown.

​"We very carefully researched the inventory and business records of rural store keepers in the early 1800s, so we have it furnished the way the store really would have been 180 years ago when people were increasingly coming into a consumer society," Kelleher said.

As you walk through, you'll see dozens of historic buildings, and villagers outside completing tasks like cleaning wool or working in their workshops. 

The village also features a variety of animals bred to resemble breeds which would have been around 200 years ago.

COVID-19 safety protocols are in place for visitors, including ropes up at the houses for social distancing, and moving most of the essentials equipment outside so they can be more accessible for people to see.

Kelleher says there is a lot to take in, and a lot to be learned.

Kelleher said, "For one thing I hope the kids have fun, as an educational institution id like adults and children to realize where we are now by where we as a country have been. I think you get a better understanding of your own world, or your own life by seeing another way of living. seeing another way of living our culture had been in the past I think is especially instructive to understanding our present."

Old Sturbridge Village is open Wednesday through Sunday. Through the end of Labor Day, each adult ticket sold, three kids enter for free. To buy tickets you can visit their website at https://www.osv.org/.