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Storrowton Village translates 1840s into 2008 lingo

The Meeting House at Storrowton Village Museum. Reminder Publications submitted photo
By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



WEST SPRINGFIELD For many, traveling to exotic lands to study the anthropological significance of foreign cultures is far from reach.

But according to Dennis Picard, director of Storrowton Village Museum, the people of Greater Springfield don't have to travel far to experience a foreign culture because the lives of New Englanders exhibited at the museum is like walking into an exotic land.

"History is a foreign language [because] we don't live in the 1840s anymore," Picard said. "When you come here [to the museum] everything is really foreign. But it's why we are what we are today."

On June 21, Storrowton Village Museum, located at Eastern States Exposition, will officially open its doors for the 2008 summer season for free.

"Storrowton Village Museum, since its creation in the late 1920s, has served as a living tribute to quintessential New England," Catherine Pappas, director of communications for The Big E, said. "Showcasing the beauty and history of the Village and the 19th century lifestyle on Opening Day speaks to our mission of education and family entertainment while focusing attention on New England heritage."

Opening day will feature "interpreters" who will be conducting free tours of the historic "foreign" property which includes a variety of authentic 19th century New England buildings assembled together to form a traditional town green from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Picard explained that the tour guides are referred to as interpreters because of their ability to interpret 19th life for 21st century visitors. Tours will feature the John Potter Mansion, Gilbert Farmstead, Eddy Law Office, schoolhouse, tavern, meetinghouse and Aunt Helen's Herb Garden. Children will also be able to participate in lessons at the one-room schoolhouse.

Visitors will also experience live entertainment and demonstrations of early New England life such as cooking over an open hearth, broom making, Windsor chair making and working in the blacksmith shop.

The museum will also feature its annual hands-on exhibit in the Discovery Room in the Potter Mansion. Museum goers will have the opportunity to attempt to rest on a straw mattress, write with quill pens and ink and view cooking utensils and blacksmith tools.

"You go to the museum and you hear about the feather and straw mattresses [people slept on then] but until you hear the crackling of the straw mattress [when you sit] you really don't know what it's all about," Picard said, He noted that these uncomfortable sleeping mattresses were the standard for 19th century life.

Picard added that he encourages all museum goers to interact with the exhibit as much as they can in order to understand the history of their current New England residence and to appreciate the luxuries of modern technology. He noted that visitors picking up the cast-iron pots will realize that cooking during this time was quite labor-intensive.

Picard said he also welcomes back all who've been to the museum before because "every time anyone comes here there is always something different to notice."

Storrowton Village Museum will be open from June 24 - Aug. 22 for guided tours from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is $5 for all except children under the age of six.