While visitors flock to New England to take in scenery of vibrantly-colored leaves and pick apples right from the trees, Old Sturbridge Village continues to celebrate every seasonal harvest of 19th century life. “The orchards were critical and were vitally important to the life in the economy of this time,” says Rhys Simmons, Director of Interpretation at Old Sturbridge Village.
Apple Days, sponsored by Savers Bank, ran from September 24-25, and October 1-2, 2016. The event brought visitors back in time to learn about the role and many uses of the popular autumn fruit during the museum’s time frame, 1790-1840. “A lot of times people think apples, they just think of dessert, or to be something we pick off the tree and eat,” says Simmons. “There’s a lot of different ways of using apples than what we think of today.”
Upon entering Old Sturbridge Village, lively traditional fiddle music plays through speakers, getting visitors primed for their back-in-time experience. Interpreters dressed in era-appropriate garb greet guests with a friendly “Good day!” welcoming everyone to the living-history museum. They happily answer all questions about their role in the village and provide insight to different aspects seen at each historic site. Walking around the vast town common, guests can feel like they have stepped into the past. Meandering past a blacksmith shop, farmhouse, printing office, and carding mill, smelling the earthy firewood, and hearing the soft thud of hooves on dirt roads adds to the sense of being in a 19th century village.
Inside Bullard Tavern, eight types of heirloom apples were available for tasting and visitors could vote for their favorite. “Every apple has its own characteristic,” says Simmons, noting the differences in tastes and sizes of the heirloom apples. Because of the severe drought, Old Sturbridge Village’s own orchards weren’t able to produce, so the museum partnered with many local orchards who still grow the special heirloom varieties that have been cultivated since the 1800s.
Outside the Bixby house, an interpreter boils a pot of apples over a cooking fire to make apple molasses. The thick syrup is the foundation for an 1839 recipe for applesauce. Once the molasses thickens, apple chunks will be added and the sauce can be used to garnish meat. Apples were also used to make vinegar, brandy, and many baked goods. Inside the white farmhouse, another interpreter demonstrates how to make apple-cornmeal pancakes using a skillet hanging in the fireplace.
Craftsmanship is a common aspect in many of the Old Sturbridge Village’s exhibits, including spinning wool, cobbling shoes, ceramic arts, and especially for Apple Days—making apple cider. The authentic ox-powered cider mill runs for visitors to witness just how people in the era made cider. The process starts with grinding apples in the mill, then mellowing overnight, and finally pressing using rye straw as a binder to extract the liquid.
Though Apple Days briefly touched upon the different uses and importance of apples in 19thcentury life, Simmons hopes visitors will recognize a connection between people of the past and modern life. While other historic sites in New England focus on a distinct moment in history, Old Sturbridge Village shows what everyday life was like in an 1830s rural New England town. “We are everyday people and I think that provides us with so many connections to our visitors,” says Simmons. “Our visitors are everyday people, so I think it makes our story really relatable to talk about agriculture, where food comes from, how things get made.” With the great variety of events and knowledgeable interpreters, Apple Days delivered a whole bushel of delight.
In case you missed Apple Days, check out Old Sturbridge Village’s other great events here.
Originally featured in Wordsby Arts & Culture News.
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