In the early 19th century, the land on which this open-air museum now stands was a prosperous farm owned by David Wight. The farm included a sawmill, a gristmill, and a well-situated millpond, which survives to this day and still powers the mills! The millpond was dug in 1795. The inception of the museum came about in the 1920s, when three brothers -- Channing M., Albert B. (who was called A.B.), and J. Cheney Wells -- who lived in neighboring Southbridge, began collecting early-American fine furniture (Channing), antiques (A.B.) and clocks and timepieces (Cheney). Although each brother collected different items, they all sought to preserve the handcrafted artifacts of a quickly vanishing past.
For A.B. Wells, the late 1920s through the mid-1930s were "filled with collecting energies." His collection grew almost daily! At first it meant the addition of extra rooms to his large Southbridge home; finally, the overflow crowded the family out completely and they moved to Walker Pond in Sturbridge. The collection had become too significant not to be shared with the public, and in 1935, the three brothers purchased David Wight’s old farm to begin the establishment of a “live village” – an active, open-air museum with craftsmen and costumed staff as well as houses, buildings, and artifacts. On June 8, 1946, their village museum opened to the public with a re-creation of life in rural New England during the 1790s through the 1830s. This interesting and interactive museum is the largest in New England, covering more than 200 acres and including 59 antique buildings, three water-powered mills, and a working farm. Visitors can converse and engage with the village “residents.” Take advantage of Choice Hotels and all they have to offer you while you are near Old Sturbridge Village. Hotels in the area allow you to stay conveniently close to where you want to be. When you stay at Choice Hotels, you can enjoy affordable rates, many amenities, and friendly service. Reserve your room today! We look forward to hosting you soon!