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• 1729 - Sturbridge is settled
  
  Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
  
• 1738 - Sturbridge is incorporated
  
  Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
  
• 1839 - Sturbridge
  Sturbridge, Massachusetts
  Worcester county. This is a very pleasant town, and is well watered by Quinebaug river. It lies 60 miles W.S.W. from Boston and 18 S.W. from Worcester. Incorporated, 1738. Population, 1830, 1,688; 1837, 2,004. The surface of the town is uneven and hilly, and the soil hard to subdue; but it has become productive by good management. There are some good fish ponds in the town, which serve to swell the Quinebaug. There are 6 cotton mills in Sturbridge and manufactures of boots, shoes, leather, chairs, cabinet ware, clothing, palm-leaf hats, trunks, harnesses, chairs, wagons, sleighs and pocket rifles; total value, the year ending April 1, 1837, $182,415.
  The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. Alphabetically arranged. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839
  
•   1840 - WANTED
  At the Sturbridge Cotton Mills, 5 or 6 good Families, consisting of Weavers, Spinners, and Carding Room help, who are of strictly temperance habits, for which the most liberal wages will be given. -- Those who are supporters of the great principles of the country, which encourage and foster the manufacturing interest, would be preferred.
  S. A. DRAKE, Agent.
  Sturbridge, March 4.
  Boston Post
  Boston, Massachusetts
  March 21, 1840
  
• 1845 - STURBRIDGE. [Pop. 2,005. Inc 1738.]
  The first settlers of Sturbridge were chiefly from Medfield, in Norfolk county, and the settlement at first was called New Medfield.
  
  The Quinebaug has its sources in several ponds of this town, and furnishes good water-piivileges.
  
  The chief manufactures are cotton goods, boots, shoes and rifles.
  
  Distance from Worcester, 18 miles ; from Boston, 58.
  An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
  
• 1848 - Sturbridge
  The land of this town was originally granted, in 1729, to several petitioners of Medfield, and many of the first settlers were from that town. and hence the place was called New Medfield, until its incorporated in when it recieved the name of Sturbridge. The following, respecting the first settlers, is from Rev. Joseph S. Clark’s Historical Sketch of Sturbridge, published in 1838:
  
  “Henry Fiske, one of the original proprietors, and his brother Daniel, pitched their tent near the top of the hill which has ever since borne their name. They had been at work for some time without knowing which way they must look for their nearest neighbor, or whether indeed they had a neighbor nearer than one of the adjacent towns. At length on a clear afternoon they heard the sound of an axe far off in a southerly direction, and went in pursuit of it. The individual whose solitary axe they heard had also been attracted by the sound of theirs, and was advancing towards them on the same errand. They came ... Read MORE...
  
  
• 1854 - Sturbridge
  Sturbridge, a post-village in Worcester co., Massachusetts, 00 miles W. S. W. from Boston, contains several churches. Population of township, 2119.
  A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
  
•   1864 - An Aged Man
  The Boston Transcript publishes a sketch of Deacon John Philips of Sturbridge, Mass., who is now in his one hundred and fourth year. This venerable man was born in Massachusetts when George II was King of Great Britain. He was drafted in 1776, and served in the early part of the American Revolution, and has a distinct recollection of the battle of Bunker Hill, which took place when he was fifteen years old. He has lived all his life on one farm, eaten at one table, and during a space of ninety years has not had a severe sickness.
  Semi-Weekly Wisconsin
  Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  January 16, 1864
  
• Sturbridge Massachusetts, 1890
  Sturbridge is a thriving agricultural and manufacturing town of about 1,980 inhabitants, situated in the southwestern part of Worcester County, 60 miles from Boston. It is reached most nearly by the Southbridge Branch of the New York and New England Railroad, and readily also from Palmer, on the Boston and Albany Railroad. Brookfield forms its boundary on the north, Charlton on the east, Southbridge on the southeast, Holland and Brimfield on the west, and Union and Woodstock, in Connecticut, on the south.
  
  The assessed area is 21,832 acres; the forests covering 8,412 acres. The hills, many of them long, are ranged north and south through the town. The principal elevations are Walker Mountain in the north, Fisk Hill in the east, Mount Dan in the northwest, and Lead-mine Mountain in the southwest. Between these ridges, in the northwest, lies Alum Pond, 280 acres in extent; in the northeast is Walker Pond, nearly as large; and long Cedar Pond extends from between them southward,... Read MORE...
  
  
•   1892 - Suicide Instead of a Wedding
  WORCESTER, Mass., October 19 - H. M. Asselin of West Warren, a young Frenchman, was found dead in the road in Sturbridge late Monday afternoon. He had apparently shot himself while driving, and had fallen from the wagon, dragging a blanket with him. He was to marry yesterday a French girl named Cacher. At the time of his death the girl was waiting in the Catholic church in Southbridge for Asselin to call for her in her father's wagon. Instead of starting for Southbridge, however, he appears to have started back toward Sturbridge. The reason for his suicide is a mystery.
  The Brooklyn Daily Eagle
  Brooklyn, New York
  October 19, 1892
  
• 1895 - Sturbridge
  Stur'bridge, a post-village and township of Worcester co., Mass., on the Quinebaug River, about 30 miles E. of Springfield, and 20 miles S.W. of Worcester. It has 3 churches. The township contains Fiskedale, and has mannufactures of cotton print cloth, bits, augers, carriages, and women's shoes, and a pop. of 2213. Graphite is mined here
  Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
  
•   1905 - Must Await Funeral
  William Willard of Sturbridge, Mass., who painted the portraits of several of Massachusetts' Governors, was a collector of colonial furniture. He had an annoying experience with other collectors who came to him trying to purchase some of his prized articles.
  
  A New York woman visiting in the vicinity of Sturbridge, hearing that the old artist possessed a beautiful colonial mirror and a rare clock, tried to buy them. Mr. Willard seemed readily to agree to the sale, but when asked when it would be convenient to have them packed, replied: "Not until after the funeral."
  
  "Whose funeral?" asked the woman.
  
  "Mine," replied Mr. Willard. -- Baltimore Sun
  The Inter Ocean
  Chicago, Illinois
  August 11, 1905
  
• 1906
  Sturbridge, a post-village and township (town) of Worcester co., Mass., on the Quinebaug River, about 30 miles E. of Springfield. The town has manufactures of dies, etc. Graphite has been mined here. Pop. of the town in 1900, 2058.
  Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906
  
•   1908 - HOLY JUMPERS GET FARMS. Farmer Gives Away Entire Holding to Religious Sect.
  Worcester, Mass., Feb. 4. - Charles H. Huntington, a prominent farmer in Sturbridge, living about two miles east of the village, became a convert of the religious body known as the Holy Jumpers, a short time ago, and became so enthusiastic over his conversion that he decided to turn his property over to the society and go to Wisconsin to join the Holy Jumpers sect there.
  
  Mr. Huntington owned two farms of about one hundred acres each, one occupied by himself and the other by his daughter and her husband and family. He has a son living in Connecticut and recently removed to Brookfield, but he did not reserve a cent of his money or an acre of his land for either of his children.
  
  Mr. and Mrs. Shippee and family are simply living on one of the farms this winter through the sufferance of the society into whose possession it recently came.
  The Wichita Daily Eagle
  Wichita, Kansas
  February 5, 1908
  
• 1946 - Old Sturbridge Village
  The three sons of George Wells carry on the firm (American Optical Company), but they also start a new venture: they create Old Sturbridge Village, a nationally renowned living history museum.
  
  ...The project began with a businessman, just as was the case with Henry Ford's Greenfield Village. In this case, it was A. B. Wells, founder of the American Optical Company, who initiated the activity that would eventually result in the formation of Old Sturbridge Village. Wells was an American history enthusiast, and his growing collection of "primitives" - by which he meant simple objects from everyday life of the American past - needed a proper home. In 1935, Wells Historical Museum was developed to meet this purpose. Later, however, Wells became interested in displaying his folk artifacts in a different format, more similar to a living history museum than a traditional historical museum. The plan emerged to enlarge the attraction by arranging a suite of buildings around a common green,... Read MORE...
  
  
  Read more about Albert Bacheller WELLS
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• 2023 - Here's a list of things to do and places to visit in Sturbridge:
  Old Sturbridge Village: This living history museum is the crown jewel of Sturbridge. Step back in time to the 1830s and experience rural New England life. Explore historic buildings, watch skilled artisans at work, and learn about early American history through interactive exhibits.
  
  Wells State Park: For outdoor enthusiasts, Wells State Park offers hiking trails, swimming, picnicking, and fishing opportunities. The park surrounds Walker Pond and is a lovely place to enjoy nature.
  
  Sturbridge Pottery: Visit Sturbridge Pottery to see and purchase handcrafted stoneware and pottery. It's a great place to find unique kitchen and home decor items.
  
  Stageloft Repertory Theater: Check the schedule at the Stageloft Repertory Theater for live performances, including plays and musicals. It's a great way to experience local talent.
  
  Brimfield Antique Show: If your visit coincides with the Brimfield Antique Show, you're in for a treat. It's one of the largest and most famous antique shows ... Read MORE...