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Old Sturbridge Village, Patriots’ Day
April 15 @ 9:30 am - 5:00 pm EDT
Patriots’ Day observances at Old Sturbridge will resound with the stirring beat of drums and the thrilling call of the fife!
In celebration of Patriots’ Day, we are exploring the stories of Patriots who helped lay the groundwork for the founding of our country. Through military drills, musket demonstrations, and more, guest re-enactors from across New England representing military units from the American Civil War to World War II will bring to life the stories of the men who hastened from their farms, homes, and shops to march to the aid of those already engaged in the initial battles of the American Revolution. See our blacksmith forging of parts for a flintlock, hear period music and talk to a surgeon to learn about medical care during the War of 1812.
*Visiting Re-enacting Groups
- 5th Connecticut Regiment (American Revolution)
- USS Constitution 1812 Marine Guard (War of 1812)
- 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (American Civil War)
- U.S. Naval Landing Party (American Civil War)
- 1st Mass Cavalry (Civil War)
- 504th Paratroopers (WW2)
- 26th Yankee Division (WW2)
- B. Historical (WW2)
Guests can explore the military camps and the Village at their own pace. Special timed programs include:*
- Safe and Sound: The Role of Powder Houses in New England (Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 p.m.)
- Film Screening: The Borinqueneers (Saturday only, 2:00 p.m.)
- Procession of Military Patriots (Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 p.m.)
- Women of the Revolution (Saturday and Sunday, 11:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.)
And more!
*subject to change without notice
The Village’s Patriots’ Day programming is on Saturday and Sunday, April 15th and 16th. The Village will be closed on Monday, April 17th.
Patriots’ Day, celebrated only in the states of Massachusetts, Maine and Connecticut, commemorates the opening battles in the American Revolution on April 19, 1775. Patriots’ Day became an official holiday in Massachusetts in 1894. Maine, which had been part of Massachusetts until 1820, adopted holiday shortly after. Connecticut voted to adopt Patriots’ Day in 2018.
