The People of Old Sturbridge Village
Everywhere you look while at Old Sturbridge Village you have the chance of seeing workers in authentic clothing from the late 1800's. This gentlemen above was responsible for providing weary guest a ride around the property.
Below we have a young woman making her rounds feeding the chickens.
Now this laborer was busy minding the lumber mill
I did not quite figure out what this women was doing. At first thought, I assumed she was doing laundry. The more I think about it though I think what she was doing had more to do with preparing wool.
This happy farmer was glad to take a break
These lovely ladies were on their way to give a demonstration of 19th-century games
This guy here is yet to be dressed. I heard a rumor that dressing is planed for the fourth week of November though 
Wayside Inn
While taking our little history tour last Saturday we stopped at the Wayside Inn in Sudbury, MA. The Wayside Inn is historic landmark, both an old inn as well as a tavern. It has been serving travelers for almost 300 years.
Pictured here is a Grist Mill that can be found on the Wayside Inn property. This mill was built in 1929 and could produce 5 tons of flour per year. Pepperidge Farm used the mill as a full-time production facility from the years of 1952-1967.
My World Tuesday
When looking for places to visit and things to do, one rarely looks in their own backyard. This past weekend I've broken my pattern and found that Massachusetts is a treasure trove of history.
To the right here you see a tour guide at Old North Bridge dressed as a minute man in clothing common in the 1770's.
Old North Bridge is a historical site in the Battle of Concord, the first battle day in the Revolutionary War which started April 19, 1775. The most famous quote that you hear often of this site is taken from a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson
By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard round the world."
More information on Old North Bridge may be found at the Minute Man National Historical Park website http://www.nps.gov/MIMA.
One unexpected bonus while visiting the site was "Old Manse" which abuts Old North Bridge. This house was built in 1750 which still to this day contains a lot of the original furniture. I was in awe of some of the prior residents which include Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorn. I took a picture of this shed on the Manse property while standing on the North Bridge.
To see the world through others eyes, visit That’s my World, a weekly meme sharing photos and impressions of all the world seen through the participants’ eyes.
Monochrome Monday
Pictured here is an old railroad bridge taken from the parking lot of cardinal comb. This bridge was built of granite quarried right here in Leominster in 1873. The railroad is no longer in use.
Like black and white photography? If so visit other maniacs that participate in Monochrome Mondays at this site Monochrome Maniacs.
Arthur J. DiTommaso Memorial Bridge
Back in 1995 the original fifth street bridge in Fitchburg was closed. A state inspection of the bridge found it to be unsafe. After a lengthy study it was decided two years later in 1997 to replace the bridge rather than fix the old one. Bidding was started to determine who will be demolishing the bridge and building the new one. The bridge was finally demolished in 1997.
Construction of the new bridge did not start until the year 2000. It was decided that a twin-tower cable stayed bridge consisting of 52 cables would be built. I vaguely remember the project being stalled for multiple reasons, but do not remember the exact reasons. Finally in September of 2003 the bridge opened. It was named the Arthur J. DiTommaso Memorial Bridge, in honor of Arthur J. DiTommaso who served the city of Fitchburg as a police officer for many years.
Here is a photo of the bridge taken last night. As I pulled up to the spot I've been scouting for some time a train happen to be approaching. I did not have time to set up my tripod, but was able to capture this image as the train was going by.