A Ride in the Country.....

... and a big step back in time, about ten miles southwest of Waterville and just to the Northeast of Hamilton, at Americana Village.




It was still misty when I drove onto the grounds, and although I know that at least one of the buildings is occupied, there wasn't a sign of anyone, anywhere - just me, back around 1860.







In the center of the "green" is a bandstand - replica of the one in Vernon Center - and, beyond that, a little red schoolhouse behind which stands, of course, the "necessary!"

(Click to enlarge photographs.)









The bandstand faces a pretty little covered bridge and small pond where some Mallard Ducks and two Canada Geese drifted.




At the opposite end of the "green" is a building that was constructed in Stockwell in 1844 and served as a church until 1904 when it became the community meeting house.




I wonder how many of our Stockwell neighbors' ancestors considered this doorway their own?








On one side of the "green" are two ancient barns - this one is dated 1814, and the Americana Village website history says that the members of the Loomis Gang brought their horses there to be shod.



At the Southern end of the Village is a complex of farm buildings, including this large Hop House - a little tilty and missing its cowl, but still a reminder of one of this area's major industries.



And, on all sides, doors and windows whose only purpose, now, seems to be to have their pictures taken!



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