In fact, a visit to the village gives one a hint of utopia, a social concept carefully nurtured in nearby parts of New England during the 1800s.

Staff members here, laboring at early American chores in authentic period dress, are happy to demonstrate their crafts and trades and are very knowledgeable about the lifestyle, technology and culture of the era they represent. Having them as living, oral-history reinactors with the exhibits and visitors adds enormously to what one sees in each building, field or common.

The village complex comprises two parts: The common and center village, where social interaction occurred; and the countryside, where the farming was done.

One learns best by doing, and Old Sturbridge Village knows well how to teach. Visitors may build a stone wall (using lightweight foam "rocks") and small-scale snake-rail (zigzag) fences; assemble a small-scale post-and-beam structure; pump water using a hand pump on the Common; "raise" a bucket from its various components in the Cooper Shop; try on a straight-lasted shoe in the Shoe Shop, and more.

There are also various opportunities to interact with the times at the farm, including harvesting activities (pulling root vegetables, digging for potatoes, picking corn, threshing and winnowing grain, etc.). In January and February, visitors can take a turn at dipping tallow candles.