Holiday Scenes from Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

 

Holiday Scenes from Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill KY

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill has been a popular tourist destination for generations of families.

In fact, I remember visits to Shaker Village from my childhood. As an adult, I got to experience a visit with a fresh perspective and appreciation.

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill Holiday

One of the first things you will notice when you step on the property is how peaceful it is there. It looks like an old New England town with 34 of the 260 original structures still on the property.

The road between the buildings was once the main road that took travelers to Lexington into the 1970’s. Shaker Village has become a recent Discovery Destination because of all of the hands-on engagement opportunities available to visitors.

Holiday Scenes from Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill KY

So who were the Shakers?

The 3,000 acres for Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill was the former site for the Shaker community, who at one point were the third largest Shaker community in the country with nearly 500 members at their peak, between the years 1805-1910.

I learned several interesting things about the Shakers during my visit. They were a celibate community which is why the community died out over time but they were not opposed to alcohol.

At the peak of its day, there were around 500 members. 3/4 of the kids in the community eventually left. They received an 8th-grade education and a trade. The Shakers believed that their work was worship and were known for their quality craftsmanship.

broom at Shaker Village

Brooms at Shaker Village

Seeds at Shaker Village

They were also known for their quality livestock, packaged seeds (which they invented) medicinal herbs, and brooms (they sold about 50,000 brooms a year).

The name “Shaker” was a description of how they moved during their services. Their official name was “United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearance.”

They were progressive for their time because they believed in gender and racial equality. They also avoided a lot of epidemics because they were so clean and lived on average 20-30 years longer.

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill grounds

Make sure that you don’t leave the property without enjoying a meal. The farm to table restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Lemon pie at Shaker Village

If you have never tried the lemon pie, I would highly recommend it. They still use the original Shaker recipe and it’s unlike any lemon pie I’ve ever had before. It’s made with the entire lemon rind and has no seeds.

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While you are dining, take note of the pegs in every room. The Shakers were very practical in their simplicity and the pegs offered a lot of solutions for keeping areas clean and tidy.

dining at Shaker Village

They could even adjust the light in a room by adjusting their candleholder up or down on the peg.

Shaker Village Building

While you are on the property, there are several buildings to explore. I encourage you to ask lots of questions when you encounter an employee.

Red Stockings at Shaker Village

It is also a good idea to get a schedule of activities going on that day so that you don’t miss any of the hands-on demonstrations, performances, or tours.

ornament at Shaker Village

Christmas Tree at Shaker Village

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stairs at Shaker Village

winding staircase Shaker Village

window view Shaker Village

Shaker Village loom

Loom at Shaker Village

 

 

 

If you are looking for a unique gift to remember your visit, there are two areas on the property where you can purchase gifts.

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That afternoon we took a tour of the property by hayride. We enjoyed a Bourbon Mulled cider, gorgeous scenery, an education on communal farming, and a beautiful Kentucky sunset.

Drink at Shaker Village

drinks at Shaker Village

Drinks and hayrides Shaker Village

Barn at Shaker Village

Holiday Sleigh at Shaker Village

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Shaker Village grounds

street at Shaker Village

sleigh at Shaker Village

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Shaker Village Sleigh

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That evening we took a candlelight tour led by visitor engagement coordinator, Elsa Wachter. This experience gave us a unique perspective and the opportunity to ask as many questions as we could think of. She was a wealth of information and made the tour very interesting.

candletlight at Shaker Village

Candlelight tour Shaker Village

That evening, I stayed overnight on the third floor of the Trustees’ office which gave me a nice view of the other buildings. My room had a Keurig, private bathroom, and television.

Guest room at Shaker Village

I decided to stay partially unplugged by keeping my tv turned off that evening. I really enjoyed the quiet.

There are 72 overnight guest rooms throughout the village. If you have younger kids, you might want one of the options that is more private.

window view at night Shaker Village

There are some buildings where you could be the only guests.

chair with a view Shaker Village

The following day, I took a few final views of the grounds before we departed.

horses at Shaker Village

Horse at fence Shaker Village

I was sad to leave this charming destination but I definitely want to come back again to try out some of their more unique adventures that Shaker Village offers like the GLOW Paddle.

I really want to try their Paddle + Yoga Weekends too.  Shaker Village offers lots of opportunities to connect and explore for ages young and old year-round.

You can find out more for planning your visit to the 3,000 acres Shaker Village by visiting their website. 

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Thanks to Kentucky Tourism and Shaker Village for hosting my visit. 

 

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