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OSV is divided into two main areas: the craftsmen's rough-hewn buildings...
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...and the nicer buildings in the village.
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We started with the craftsmen, getting to the grist mill in time for a demo, when they ground up dried corn and oats to make feed for the animals, using a water wheel to turn the grinding stones. But I didn't get good photos of that.
Next to the grist mill, and also using the water from the mill pond, was the carding mill, where mechanized wool-carding machines ran on water power. A box sits near the window, with wool and a set of hand carders for visitors to try for themselves. After trying it, we can appreciate the joys of automation.
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At the Village, as in much of Massachusetts around Springfield, autumn still hasn't decided if it wants to come. A few trees have turned colors, but even more are still green.
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After the carding mill, we visited the blacksmith. There were two smithies, pulling on the bellows once in a while to heat the flames and shaping hooks on the anvil.
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On the way to the village from the blacksmith, we passed a young woman boiling down apple cider to make molasses. As she watched over the two cast-iron pots hanging above wood fires, she kept busy knitting a sock. A woman's work is never done.
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In the village, we passed the church and turned toward the general store, where a gentleman sat outside on a bench playing a lively tune on a pipe. Besides in the gift shop, his was the only music we heard.
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The leaves that had fallen from the trees hadn't been raked up, and a few groups of children were playing in them. This baby was learning about leaves for the first time.
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They have a plastic cow that lets kids (or adults, if they can get in during a lull in the youngsters) try their hand at milking. But even plastic cows have their limits. One of these lads shouted, "Hey! They turned off the cow!"
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We saw more things than I have time for telling, and I took more pictures than I have room for showing. On a beautiful fall day, we learned quite a bit, laughed even more, and had a great time together in the past.
1 comment:
Beautiful pictures!! And the cow story made me laugh. :)
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