The Big E

Storrowton Village at The Big E
A bit of Early Americana

One of my favorite parts of The Big E is Storrowton Village. It is just east of the Avenue of States and is an authentic 19th century community set around an old fashioned village green. About 80 years ago Helen Storrow (of Storrow Drive fame) was the chairperson of the Exposition’s Home department and she purchased various Early American properties around New England that were abandoned or going to be demolished. She had them moved, stone by stone, and reconstructed. There is a country store, a blacksmith shop, a one room schoolhouse, a meetinghouse, law office and three houses, all around the green with a gazebo. During the Fair the Village becomes a living museum, with people dressed in 19th century attire who talk about and demonstrate daily life in the old days. You can watch a blacksmith at work, learn how to churn butter, or find out what school was like when all the kids went to one classroom to learn. Every day at noon at the Fair, they hold old fashioned games for fair-kids, like hoop rolling and 3-legged races.

Storrowton Village has many activities throughout the year, too. For children, there are school programs from October to June and Early American Summer Days in August. For all ages, Tales from Haunted New England is presented near Halloween, and Yuletide at Storrowton, Yuletide Open House Tours and Yuletide by Lantern Light and take place before the holidays.

Year-round, Storrowton’s Gift Shop has gifts and collectibles, and the Storrowton Tavern is a favorite destination for traditional American fare.