Storrowton Village Museum

Gilbert House

This is a great time of year to visit the Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA!  Anytime I can step into a museum, it's a great day!  Sunday, we drove over the river (Connecticut River) to West Springfield.  The buildings were relocated to this location by Helen Storrow.

A Little History!

At this time of year visitors are able to visit during Yuletide.  The weekend event was open to the public, free of charge.  Visitors of all ages enjoyed walking around and into the old buildings.  It's always a treat to visit the schoolhouse.

Stopping in to the Schoolhouse

The School Master answered so many of our questions.  He also gave us a quiz!

Union Meetinghouse in the background

 

 

Strolling on the grounds is always great, but after our recent snowfall it looked even more beautiful!  It's always a treat to view how the area garden clubs have decorated the houses and also the Meetinghouse. 

On the steps
of the Meetinghouse

 

 

A basket of fruit
inside the Gilbert House

 

 

The clove studded oranges look festive along with the apples, lemons and the welcoming pineapple!

A beautiful tree
in front of Storrowton Tavern

 

 

It was definitely a great visit!  What a treat to go during Yuletide!

We enjoyed it!

    

"Yuletide at Storrowton"

Storrowton Village Museum
with Storrowton Tavern in the background.

On Saturday afternoon we drove over the river, around the rotary and down a street.  That was the path to "Yuletide at Storrowton"!  Storrowton Village is located in West Springfield, MA- on the other side of the Connecticut River.  It's always a treat to visit and go back to the 19th century.  There are 9 antique buildings around a Town Green at Storrowton Village.  These original buildings were all saved from different towns in New England by Helen Storrow and they were moved here, to this location.  It was a time when many items were handcrafted.

Behind the gazebo is one of our favorite restaurants in Western MA- Storrowton Tavern!

A Little History

A walk down the Town Green led us to the Gilbert House.  Inside the first room was a basket of fruit sitting on a table.  Oranges studded with Whole Cloves were some of the pieces of fruit.  This aroma was so good!  The lady of the house was waiting for our arrival!      

Gilbert House
West Brookfield, MA
~1794

Turning another direction in the room was another great view!

Inside Gilbert House

The tablecloth, the train under the Christmas Tree and the wallpaper were all so interesting!  Then, we turned again and enjoyed the decorations above the fireplace.

Another view inside Gilbert House

After leaving the Lawyer's Office we visited Potter Mansion.  An old piano inside caught our attention!

Strolling back down the Town Green and brought us to the Schoolhouse.  Walking in, we saw the stern Schoolmaster.  There were chalkboards on 3 sides of the room.  It's always fascinating to step into an old schoolhouse to take another look at the desks and chairs.    

North Center School
Whately, MA
~1810

Next door to the Schoolhouse is the Meeting House.  It was the building used for Town Meetings and also for worship.   

Union Meeting House
Salisbury, NH
~1834

It's always interesting to take a step back in time.  On Saturday we stepped back and enjoyed our Yuletide visit.   It was great!!!

     

~2017 Yuletide at Storrowton~

Admiring the beautiful Christmas Tree!

Yuletide at Storrowton is a great event in my area of Western MA!  We went last weekend!  The weather was co-operating, so we drove over the Connecticut River to West Springfield (in MA).  Walking onto the grounds of this 19th century New England village brings us back in time to a period of our American history when so many every day items were hand crafted.  The buildings on the grounds are original and moved to their present location at Storrowton Village.

The Meeting House was our first stop!  A Meeting House was used for Town Meetings and also for worship.  It was our first stop!  The fruit decoration above the doorway was beautiful and not often seen these days.

Once inside sitting down, we had the opportunity to listen to Folk Music from the 19th century!

19th century Folk Music Performers

 Then, onto the Blacksmith Shop!

Needed tools the Blacksmith had crafted.

 

 

 

 

He stopped his work to answer the numerous questions we all had.  

Pounding the red hot metal to a needed shape.

Inside the Lawyer's Office we saw simple, yet elegant tree decorations.  The trees were made of folded gold paper with a dowel in the center.  I took note of this easy, beautiful decoration.  Local area garden clubs create the floral arrangements.  These arrangements are on view for all of us to get new decorating ideas.  :)

Visit to the Lawyer's Office

Walking a little further down the path, we visited the Gilbert House.  There was a candle in the window!

  

Once inside, we visited with a lady spinning yarn.  The Kitchen was in the next room.  Then, we enjoyed the Parlor.  

There were so many beautiful decorations to admire while visiting Storrowton Village!

 

Beautiful Decoration!

Once inside the Schoolhouse a gentleman described the education during this time period.  In this Schoolhouse the blackboard was on 3 walls.

  

The Schoolhouse!

Our last stop on this wonderful journey back to the 19th century was to chat with a craftsman who made paint brushes.  

Craftsmen Making Paint Brushes!

It's always fascinating to visit Storrowton Village!  This week there are tours and special "Lantern Light Tours" of the Village taking place.  This is an event we always put on our calendar!  I know you have enjoyed this tour back to 19th century New England!

Enjoy!

     

~Merry Christmas!~

Storrowton Village Museum is located in West Springfield, MA.  We live on the east side of the Connecticut River & this beautiful village is located on the west side of the river.  It's a quick drive over a bridge.  Every year in early December a quaint fun adventure awaits when we travel back to this 19th century village-
                           "Yuletide at Storrowton"
 

Wreaths & garlands decorated the historic homes.  Arriving at the Gilbert House a dainty, yet tasteful decoration welcomed us at the door.

Once inside, a simple yet very elegant table decoration was found in the Parlor. 

A quick walk into the Kitchen to learn what would be served at dinner- a Roasted Chicken, stuffed Squash & baked Gingerbread! 

 

The cooking area had decorations with a 21st century touch.  

 The Schoolhouse was the next stop!

After stepping inside it was easy to chat with the Schoolteacher.  Her rod was on her desk- decorated with a red ribbon.

The Meeting House is in the background!

It was a beautiful day in early December!  We also learned a little local history.

We enjoyed!