Shaker Village
A gentle, tranquil, peaceful historic site in Harrodsburg, Kentucky
Shaker Village in Kentucky touched my heart. When I got in the car for my eight-day museum road trip through Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and on to Detroit, I had recently recovered from surgery and felt delighted that I was strong enough to get on the road. It was May and sunny and I was smiling!
Visualize…
As you drive towards Shaker Village in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, on two-lane roads, through fields and small towns, and alongside the occasional Amish horse and buggy, you know you’re headed towards a restful, country experience. In Shaker Village, you wander among 19th century buildings, across fields, into vegetable gardens, and along wooden and stone fences. Yes, you will be intrigued and learn about the Shakers, but you will also be filled with a sense of respite and relaxation.
Why visit…
You get a delightful peek into the life of the Shakers while wandering in a peaceful environment.
My connection…
I originally visited Shaker Village back in the day when I knew the then-director of marketing, having met at a museum conference. My most recent visit was on an eight-day road trip when I visited 15 museums in four states.
My favorite moment…
Walking on the grounds on a summertime evening after most of the other guests had left. A lovely, peaceful, restorative meander.
Description…
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill was the third largest Shaker community in the United States between 1805 and 1910. Their legacy today is 3,000 acres of buildings, gardens, trails, a river, and a preserve. Buildings, all built by the Shakers, include family dwellings, workshops, a barn, a post office, and more. You wander on dirt and pebble paths with open spaces between the buildings providing a feeling of openness. Originally, it would have felt more town-like with additional buildings filling in some of the open spaces. Today, however, this openness provides a relaxing environment with glimpses of grass, fields, fences, trees, and gardens.
The Shakers were known for their simple yet very practical architecture and furniture, technological innovation, hard work, humility, and their belief in gender and racial equality.
Some of you may be familiar with the song "Simple Gifts," which is a Shaker song. "Tis the gift to be simple, tis the gift to be free..." Interestingly, this is just one of 20,000 songs they wrote - hymns, anthems, marches, celebratory songs, and more. That was just one of the many things I learned when I visited Shaker Village.
My visit…
I took two guided tours while there: the Historic Village Tour and the Shaker Music Tour. The Historic Village Tour provided an excellent general background to who the Shakers were, important historical figures, the architecture, and how the Shakers interacted with the rest of the town, the non-Shakers. The Shaker Music Tour touched the senses as it informed. The tour group sat in the Meeting House as the guide shared historical, worship, and musical information. To this she added singing, “shaking,” and questions from the group. Very well done! Other tours discuss the farm, African American experiences, and tea tasting.
I was mesmerized by the ducks! As I wandered the fields, I came across a woman walking through the grass with ducks following her. She chatted to them as the ducks scurried after her. “Come along now, get a drink of water. Hurry up.” I chatted with her. Julia is the farm specialist and she graciously shared about how the ducks eat the insects and how they listen to her - a bit of a duck whisperer!
Collection…
Often, when thinking of museums, we think of the objects, the art. At Shaker Village, however, the most prominent part of their collection is the buildings. There are 34 original buildings that showcase the architectural style and the ingenuity of the Shakers. Within the buildings, Shaker Village has both permanent and temporary exhibits. Permanent exhibits include a Shaker Home, Local Economics: Global Impacts, Putting Food By, The Believers, and more. They have over 7,000 photographs, objects, and documents in their permanent collection.
Overnight…
An intriguing aspect of Shaker Village is the opportunity to stay overnight in one of the original Shaker buildings. They have 72 guest rooms found in 13 historic buildings. They vary in price, accessibility, size, and more. I loved spending the night! Realizing that I was wandering the halls and walking on the floors and looking out the windows that the Shakers did 200 years ago was awe-inspiring! And, being there overnight gave me the opportunity to wander the trails and fields after most of the other guests had left.
Hospitality…
Friendly, knowledgeable, helpful staff work throughout all aspects of Shaker Village. From the waitstaff to tour guides to front line retail personnel, everyone smiled, answered questions, and were dedicated to Shaker Village. I was especially impressed when I bumped into the Chief Operating Officer as he was doing a regular walk-through of one of the buildings. He shared about what his job involved as well as the challenges of maintaining the facility to a level that matches the expectations of visitors. I enjoyed my interactions with everyone!
Storytelling…
Information labels at Shaker Village were attractively designed and interesting to read. Many of them were hung from the pegs on the wall that the Shakers are so well-known for. One of the signs, meant as a reminder not to touch the artifacts shows a hand with a line across it and the words, “Deny thy temptation.” Clever!
Surprises…
Shaker Village has free fire starter kits that you can use if you’re spending the night to light a fire pit as you watch the sunset or drink an evening glass of wine. Available from the gift shop.
Wellness opportunities…
Shaker Village provides a sense of calm and relaxation as you meander through the village. Open space, fields, attractive architecture, gardens, and places to sit provide an excellent mental wellness break.
Wayfinding…
Shaker Village has a map of the site with each building the same color as the actual building – made it so easy to use! They also had numerous wooden street-corner signs that were helpful throughout the property.
How to visit…
Plan to spend at least a couple of hours to wander into multiple buildings and take at least one guided tour. However, there are so many opportunities to expand your visit: have a meal at the Trustees Table or a picnic with snacks from the Post Office Shop. Hike down to the Kentucky River and the High Bridge. Spend the night, feeling like you’re touching Shaker life from 200 years ago.
Quote from visitors..
As I wandered across the fields, I met a couple sitting in their folding chairs, turned toward the setting sun, with a view that encompassed fields and stone fences. I asked them if they were regular visitors to Shaker Village. “We come as often as we can. We live about two hours away and have an annual pass. We also volunteer here, usually when they have one-day volunteer opportunities. We love this place!”
Shaker Village, Harrodsburg, Kentuck
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