Newspaper Article

COVER STORY / An Old-Fashioned Fourth

Michael Schuman. Michael Schuman is a freelance writer

2002

Overview

He continues, \"There has been no revolution known in the history of mankind so memorable in its consequences ... \" The pews are filled with onlookers, some from the 19th century and wearing black coats or white frocks, others from the 21st , donning shorts, tee- shirts and Red Sox caps. Josiah Snow, a Southbridge, Mass., patriot wrote those words to celebrate the Fourth of July more than 150 years ago. Today they are part of a recreated Independence Day service. While the village common was the geographical center of most farming communities at the time, the spiritual and governmental center was the meetinghouse. The true separation of church and state was years in the future, and theology mixed with nationhood was common at the time. So was a two-hour-long meetinghouse service, which mercifully is reduced to a half hour for modern day visitors. Sturbridge lodging: Old Sturbridge Village Lodges and Oliver Wight House (10-room historic inn), 391 Main St., 800-733-1830, 508- 347-3327; doubles: $90-$120, packages including village admission and continental breakfast are available; Publick House Historic Inn & County Motor Lodge, 295 Main Street, (800-782-5425, 508-347- 3313), doubles and suites in main building and motor lodge: $104- $165; Days Inn, 66-68 Haynes St., doubles: $75-$150. Old Sturbridge Village Photos/Thomas O'Neill - 1) Above and 2) below, an exhibit on life in New England during the 1830s is on display at Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts through January 2004. 3) Left, launching a stars-and-stripes balloon during last year's Fourth of July festivities.; An Old-Fashioned Fourth. At Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts, an Independence Day the way it used to be. Old Sturbridge Village Photo/Thomas O'Neill - Volunteers in full military regalia fire a musket salute during holiday celebrations.

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