June 29
Shaker Village Of Pleasant Hill
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Every Saturday, I share my weekly Artist Date.
I mentioned last Saturday that I was on a road trip with my mom and one of my sisters. We had a wonderful time, so I’m going to take the next few Saturdays to tell you about some of the places we visited. I decided to write about these stops as Artist Dates because they were very inspiring.
Our first stop was Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, located less than 30 miles from Lexington, Kentucky.
The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, also known as the Shakers because of their ecstatic worship style, formed in 18th-century England.
In 1774, Ann Lee, a leader in the Shaker movement, and eight other members emigrated to America. The Shakers saw themselves as preparing the way for the new era when God’s will was done on earth. As such, the Shakers believed in no boundaries of gender, social class, or education, Christ-like deportment, simplicity, utility, perfection, communal property and celibacy
The Shakers built 19 settlements in America from Maine to Kentucky and attracted just under 17,000 members. Shakers acquired new members through conversion and the adoption of orphans. Pleasant Hill was the third largest community with 500 members.
The Pleasant Hill settlement began in 1805. Over a 105 year span, the Shakers of Pleasant Hill constructed more than 260 structures and their land holding reached approximately 4500 acres. By 1910, the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill closed its doors as an active religious society. The last Shaker of Pleasant Hill, Sister Mary Settles, died in 1923. Pleasant Hill became a small country town called Shakertown until historic restoration began in 1961. 34 of the original 260 buildings remain.
We started by touring the Centre Family Dwelling. Guides and craftsmen and craftswomen are available all over the village to tell you about the Shakers, the village and Shaker life.
We saw demonstrations of weaving, woodworking and broommaking.
We had lunch at the Trustees’ Office Dining Room. It was elegant, beautiful and delicious.
Our visit was a short one, so we just got a taste of Shaker Village. I would love to go back and spend a few days there.
Today, only one community exists with Shakers in residence. It is near Lewiston, Maine, at Sabbathday Lake and has four remaining residents.
If you’d like to read more about the Shakers, the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill website has some great reading.
SHE saw a documentary on the Shakers…think it was the Maine settlement. Very interesting…would be great to spend enough time to really see it. Thanks for taking us along.
XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy
What a wonderful place. Off to check out the web site.
We enjoyed this post and the pic with the lemons is stunning. Have a serene Sunday and stay cool.
Best wishes Molly
What an interesting place! Love that spiral staircase photo.
Hello Lori
What a facinating place and your photos and post gave me a quick introduction to the Shakers. Love the building itself and am interested to learn about the community and philosophy. I think I have heard briefly of this movement before perhaps in school sometime. I look forward to seeing more of your trip.
At first we thought it was a ceiling … great shot of the staircase. Wonderful place to visit. Golden Thanks for sharing. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
Ive always thought the Shakers where fascinating and I love their furniture
looks like a gorgeous place
urban hounds
That must have been a really interesting place to visit. I have always loved the Shaker furniture.
Lynne x
That’s so neat!
Nola
Beautiful pix and fascinating facts. Thanks for sharing some of your trip with us!
P.S. Really love the spiral staircase shot!
The Shakers appeared to have been interesting people, with a fascinating attitude to religious worship and wonderfully simple way of life. One has to wonder why they have almost died out!
Thanks for sharing it. Great photos and interesting facts 🙂
I have always found the Shakers to be a fascinating society! I would love visiting one of the old settlements. I’m glad you got to go!
I’m glad you visited the Lexington area and discovered the Shakers. To me, it is just about the most beautiful place on earth. I go there whenever I need a break from reality and just breathe in the peace. Finding your blog reminds me that I’m overdue. Thanks.