Taft Covered Bridge in Sturbridge: A Vermont Treasure in MA

Did you know that the Taft Covered Bridge in Sturbridge, was a Vermont covered bridge? There are actually 9 “historical” covered bridges in Massachusetts. This does not count footbridges or other “covered” bridges throughout Massachusetts, just those that carried wagons and/or autos across a river or stream in the past (or currently). Today, I’m only talking about a Vermont covered bridge that found its way down to Massachusetts.

History of the Taft Vermont Covered Bridge

The Taft/Dummerston covered bridge was built around 1874 in Dummerston, Vermont. Around 1952, it was dismantled and shipped down to Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. It is not to be confused with the still-standing West Dummerston Covered Bridge (built 1872) or the Taftsville Covered Bridge in Woodstock, VT.

I never found out why it was moved, but I assume it was set to be replaced or bypassed by a new road. Either way, this historical treasure (as all covered bridges are) is now preserved among the many historical buildings of Sturbridge village, Massachusetts.

The best time to photograph the Taft/Dummerston covered bridge

I’ve photographed Old Sturbridge Village in the fall and at Christmas, by paying to enter (*note* they do not allow tripods). The Autumn shot you see above was on a overcast day and I have raised the saturation a little for a more somber feeling. But in comparison, the regular image shows the overcast nature of the day and the mid-October weather made the colors on the saturated side.

In winter, Lisa and I went after dark to get the lanterns, candles and Christmas lights to their best effect. (sometimes you can get discounted tickets)

It was cold but not so cold that I couldn’t keep my hands steady enough to get the shots I wanted. Would you like to see and article on what else you can see while inside? Leave a comment and let me know!

How about this Vermont covered bridge in Massachusetts in summertime?

Lisa and I were in the Sturbridge area one summer and we wanted to see if you can see either of the covered bridges on their property from outside the gates… (You can!)

There are some trails off the museums property and I could get some limited shots of the covered bridges through the underbrush (bring bug spray) and while I’m not going to tell you exactly where these trails are, they are plainly visible if you start wandering around.

I don’t know whose property they are so you will have to find them for yourself. Here is a downloadable map of Scenic Roads around the town of Sturbridge Massachusetts.

Here is an article about 10 places off the beaten path for you to explore!

So back to THE best times to photograph Taft Covered Bridge in Sturbridge Massachusetts

I’m not sure what THE best time is. On the summer day it was partially overcast and in autumn it WAS overcast and on the verge of raining. At Christmas it was dark so none of the times that I’ve been there would be a photographers target (sunrise or sunset), and I made the best of what I had.

I photographed the Taft bridge (which is now called the Dummerston bridge) on October 14^th, and most people might not have bothered to go into Old Sturbridge village since it was an overcast day that was threatening rain.

But as I tell everybody, a cloudy day is a day when the colors are saturated, and you can photograph all through the day, unlike a bright sunny day when you’re limited to your best shots at Dawn and dusk.

If you have a photography group and are willing to pay the tour fee, they will open the gates for you at 8 AM. This way, you would have the run of the entire village with no other people in your shots. I would say if you got there as the gates open ( 9-10 am, paying the normal fee), you probably would still have the village to yourself with a minimum of people.

If you wait until late afternoon, you’ll have the option of really good light, but you’ll also have lots of people.

The first thing to note is that you have to pay to get in(check prices online at OSV.org)

A Secret covered bridge that’s NOT a “True” covered bridge

During our fall visit, I discovered a covered bridge during a boat ride on the small pond below the village. The pond ride is only a few dollars (in 2014); it yields what I think is the only really good view (although there could easily be many more) of what appears to be a covered bridge extending across the pond.

I asked about it, and it appears this was never a covered bridge but the “old main entrance” to Sturbridge village. Back in the 60s and 70s you would drive through this”Bridge” to enter the park grounds.

Check the Scenic Pioneer Valley here in a Guide to the scenic views of the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts.

Basically, it’s an asphalt road that has been housed in a covered bridge. As you can see from this picture, it is surrounded both on the near side and the far side with multitudes of colorful trees. (Only in autumn though)😁😂

So this ends my tale of the Taft Covered Bridge in Sturbridge. I hope you found it useful…

Jeff Foliage Folger

Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage

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