Muster Day celebrates citizen soldiers at Old Sturbridge Village – June 11

Discounts for active military and their families

Demonstrations by 1812 Marines and Oxford Light Infantry

STURBRIDGE, MA (May 24, 2011) – Old Sturbridge Village will celebrate the contributions of “citizen soldiers” during Muster Day on Saturday, June 11 by rec-creating the semi-annual training of 19th-century militias. The day will feature marching and drilling demonstrations, military music, and special appearances by the 1812 Marine Detachment from the U.S.S. Constitution, the Oxford Light Infantry, and the Sturbridge Militia. Active military personnel get 50 percent off their admission and members of their party receive a 25-perecent discount. For more information, call 1-800-SEE-1830 or visit www.osv.org.

In the early 19th century, groups like the 1812 Marine Detachment, based on at the U.S.S. Constitution, often traveled from Boston to locations throughout Massachusetts looking for recruits. The Oxford Light Infantry is typical of an early volunteer militia company that drilled together regularly and had matching uniforms.  They stood in stark contrast to less organized citizen soldiers, or “enrolled companies,” as portrayed by the Sturbridge Militia, which were made up of all men in a community between 18 and 45 years old.  These citizen soldiers met only once or twice a year and were considered to be far better citizens than soldiers.

All three military groups will lead drilling and musket-firing demonstrations. They will hold “sham fights” or mock battles, and target practice. Fife and drum players will play martial music and discuss the importance of music to military operations.

In addition to military training, Muster Day, was also a day for the community to gather and relax. As the years progressed, the social aspects of the day became more prominent than the military ones. In the spirit of community celebration, visitors can “buy” gingerbread on the Common using a period-coin replica and visit the “Striped Pig Tent.”

In the 1830s the "Fifteen Gallon Law" was enacted in Massachusetts, making it illegal to sell alcohol by the drink. To circumvent the law, an entrepreneur in Dedham, MA erected a tent, painted stripes on a common pig and charged 6 1/4 cents to see the "Wonderful Striped Pig." Customers were then given a free glass of rum, by-passing the law. OSV will re-create the event on the Common, substituting lemonade for the rum.

Old Sturbridge Village celebrates life in early New England from 1790 – 1840. Located just off the Massachusetts Turnpike and Routes I-84 and 20 in Sturbridge, Mass., OSV is open year-round, but hours vary seasonally. Currently, the Village is open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission is: $20 for adults; $18 for seniors; $7 for children ages 3-17; children under 3 are admitted free. Each admission includes free parking and a free second-day visit within 10 days. Woo Card subscribers get 25% of adult daytime admission; college Woo cardholders receive 50% off adult daytime admission. For details, visit www.osv.org or call 800-SEE-1830.

Submitted by OSV