Sturbridge Town on Film & Television
"Dexter: New Blood"
A Showtime revival for the well-known serial killer "Dexter" puts Massachusetts at the forefront. The production crew filmed primarily west of I-495 in towns like Boylston, Devens, Gardner, Lancaster, Sterling, West Boylston and Worcester—in notable spots like the Tantiusques hiking area in Sturbridge and in small neighborhoods in Worcester, turning the sunny 70 degree days into a winter wonderland. The Leadmine Trails also take the big screen, with the 880-acre Leadmine Mountain Conservation Area in the spotlight—a spot that's open to the public for all kinds of passive recreation, like hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, hunting and fishing.
"Glory"
Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) has been utilized as a set for several historical movies, including "Glory," the 1989 war thriller starring Denzel Washington. OSV is the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, depicting a rural New England town of the 1830s. On site, visitors step inside more than 40 original buildings and explore homes, meetinghouses, a district school, country store, bank, a working farm, three water-powered mills and trade shops—all situated on more than 200 scenic acres. For people who enjoy entertainment set in the past, OSV also hosts special reenactment events throughout the year, like their Redcoats & Rebels event and the annual Independence Day Celebration.
"Antiques Roadshow"
Also filmed on site at Old Sturbridge Village is "Antiques Roadshow" on PBS, which travels the country in search of America's hidden treasures. OSV serves as fitting grounds for the program, as the museum's exhibitions feature historic artifacts from coveted collections and displays of village-made crafts. The museum's President & CEO Jim Donahue expressed his excitement to Spectrum News 1 about the show bringing artifacts from their homes and their families and telling the stories connected to those artifacts, "which is exactly what we do here at Old Sturbridge Village every day." The show filmed three episodes in Sturbridge with 2,000 pairs of tickets given out to people looking to get appraisals. The Sturbridge episode is expected to air some time in the first half of 2024.
