Village Profile
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is America’s largest restored Shaker community, where a remarkable society once flourished and where today, guests can experience a true national treasure.
This National Historic Landmark charms guests with distinct Shaker style and the beauty of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region. A stay at this timeless destination offers peaceful accommodations, gracious dining, exceptional shopping, historical activities and invigorating recreation.
Location
Situated on 3,000 acres of rolling Bluegrass farmland in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Located 25 miles southwest of Lexington, Kentucky on U.S. 68. Within short driving distances from many of Kentucky’s hallmark attractions, including distilleries and vineyards, horse farms and historic sites. The village is approximately 70 miles east of Louisville, Kentucky via Interstate 64, U.S. 127 and U.S. 68.
History
The Shakers were nineteenth-century America's largest and best-known communal society. In 1774, nine devout Shakers sailed from Liverpool, England to New York City to escape religious persecution. By the 1840s, nearly 3,500 Shakers lived in communities from Maine to Kentucky.
The Shakers chose a peaceful way of life. They were celibate, believed in racial and gender equality and freedom from prejudice. A quest for simplicity and perfection is reflected in their fine designs and craftsmanship, and today the term Shaker-made is synonymous with excellence around the world.
In 1805, a group of Shakers came to central Kentucky and established a village they named Pleasant Hill. Although the population peaked at almost 500 in the 1820s, the community thrived well past the mid-nineteenth century, acquiring over 4,000 acres of farmland. However, after the 1860s, changing social attitudes and the Industrial Revolution signaled the community's decline.
By 1923, the last Pleasant Hill Shaker had died and the buildings, property and belongings passed into private hands. Over the years, Pleasant Hill became just a small country town called Shakertown, and the Shakers were nearly forgotten.
In 1961, a non-profit educational corporation was formed to restore the village, and since that time 34 buildings have been carefully restored and 3,000 acres of Shaker farmland preserved. Kentucky Shakers no longer exist and only one Shaker community is active in New England, yet their lasting influence is a legacy to all who visit Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.
Architecture
The community built by the Shakers at Pleasant Hill was a planned community that reflected the Shakers’ intention to create heaven on earth. The Pleasant Hill Shakers constructed their buildings from readily available materials, including limestone, brick and wood. Pleasant Hill’s architecture style was heavily influenced by the Federal style popular throughout the Central Kentucky region.
The limestone Centre Family Dwelling, containing more than 24,000 square feet, was one of the largest stone buildings in Kentucky when it was completed in 1834. The most recognized architectural element in the village is a three-flight twin spiral staircase in the Trustees’ Office. The romantic design of the staircases was more typical of regional style than of traditional Shaker architecture.
The construction of the clapboard 1820 Meeting House was the Shakers’ most impressive architectural feat. The Meeting House is considered a technical marvel, using impressive inverted hanging trusses to provide a large interior free of internal supports, giving the Shakers ample room to dance and twirl during worship services.
Accommodations
The Inn at Shaker Village encompasses 81 distinct guest rooms, suites and private cottages spread throughout 15 restored 19th century buildings. Rooms at the Inn feature Shaker reproduction furniture, hardwood floors, newly renovated private baths, Tempur-Pedic mattresses, feather pillows, televisions, telephones, Gilchrist and Soames toiletries, hair dryers and alarm clocks. Additional features include access to complimentary wireless internet, satellite television, libraries, game rooms, coffee makers, vending machines and ice makers.
Meeting/Group Facilities
Landmark meeting, event or tour experiences make memorable group visits. The Inn at Shaker Village accommodates group meetings, small conferences, board meetings, workshops, retreats, reunions, destination weddings and other special events. The Inn offers multiple venues for small meetings and meals in beautifully restored historic buildings and magnificent outdoor settings.
Over 5,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, throughout five versatile meeting areas, accommodates groups from 20 to 80. Outdoor venues are also available. Meeting and group catering, activities and audio-visual needs are coordinated by professional group sales and services staff.
Dining
Trustees' Office Dining Room - The Trustees’ Office Dining Room offers breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, and features traditional Kentucky fare and authentic Shaker specialties served by candlelight. The menu includes a hearty country buffet breakfast and a variety of mid-day lunch selections. At dinner, meals feature plenty of hot breads, mouth-watering entrees, country-cooked vegetables and desserts fresh from the oven. A selection of wines and beers is also available in the dining room.
The Trustees’ Office Dining Room is closed December 24 and 25, and from January 2 through mid-February all meals are served in our Winter Kitchen. Reservations are necessary for all meals to assure availability. Walk-ins are welcome if seating is available.
Winter Kitchen - Open January 2 through mid - February, the Winter Kitchen serves Shaker favorites alongside the warmth of an inviting fireplace. The Winter Kitchen is located in the West Family Dwelling cellar, providing an intimate dining experience during the winter months at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. Full lunch and dinner menus are available everyday. Reservations are necessary for all meals to assure availability. Walk-ins are welcome if seating is available.
Post Office - Open April 1 through October 31, the Post Office Snack Shop offers carryout sandwiches, homemade potato chips, drinks, Shaker lemon pie and other treats.
Shopping
Carpenter’s Shop Craft Store - The village’s main craft store and gift shop features an extensive selection of fine handmade items, including tightly-sewn brooms, oval boxes, Shaker reproduction furniture and many other handmade Kentucky crafts. The store also features an assortment of Shaker brooms, handmade here at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill by our skilled artisans.
Post Office Craft Store - The smallest of our craft stores features distinctive Kentucky foods, kitchen accessories, hand-dipped candles and candleholders and an assortment of other handmade gift items.
Ministry’s Workshop Furniture Display at Artist Gallery - This unique display and sales area showcases our signature Shaker reproduction furniture. Our solid wood furniture is painstakingly reproduced or adapted from our museum collection pieces. Reproduction pieces are made using the same techniques that made Shaker-crafted synonymous with quality throughout the 19th century and today.
Online Sales - Our website, www.shakervillageky.org, offers an online craft store selling many of our smaller furniture, home accent, kitchen, library and other merchandise nationwide.
Village Activities
Living History Museum Tour
The 34 restored 19th century buildings, preserved farmland and historical records of this National Historic Landmark are preserved and maintained for the educational, cultural and recreational use by the local community, people of Kentucky and all visitors to the site.
Self-guided walking tours wind through the village, where costumed interpreters chronicle Shaker life. Skilled artisans work at 19th century trades and historic farming and musical performances bring the past to life. The Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill Living History museum tour is highlighted by:
• Self-guided tours of 13 original Shaker buildings
• Costumed interpreters and skilled craftspeople demonstrating Shaker life and trade techniques used in the mid-19th century, including broom making, woodworking, spinning and weaving
• Guided tours of the 40-room Centre Family Dwelling, containing an extensive collection of original Shaker furniture and artifacts
• Solo Shaker music performances in the 1820 Meeting House
• Historic animal breeds and heirloom vegetables at the village farm
• Guided talks and walks about Shaker life and beliefs, theology, architecture and agriculture
• Shaker Life Exhibit self-guided tours detailing life in a Shaker community
• Special cultural and educational exhibitions
Tour Dates & Times
Daily, Nov. 1 - Mar. 31: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Daily, Apr. 1 - Oct. 31: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Village Tour Admission
April 1 – October 31: $14 Adult, $7 Ages 12-17, $5 Ages 6-11
November 1 – March 31: $7 Adult, $3.50 Ages 12-17, $2.50 Ages 6-11
Free under 6
Historic Farm Program
The Shakers were noted agriculturalists, and the Shakers at Pleasant Hill were some of the best farmers of their day. Daily interpretation from April – October includes talks and demonstrations of 19th century agricultural practices.
The historic farm program preserves historic livestock breeds significant to Shaker and rural Kentucky history. Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill’s livestock program includes Milking Shorthorn cattle, Percheron horses, Bakewell and Leicester sheep and various breeds of poultry, such as Dominique chickens.
The historic farm program also cultivates heritage herbs, fruits and vegetables. Vegetable and herb gardens showcase varieties of heritage tomatoes, beans, corns, and other vegetables and herbs commonly grown at Shaker Village during the 19th century. The apple orchard consists of over 10 varieties of heritage apples including King David, Grimes Golden, Black Twig and Stamen Winesap.
Dixie Belle Riverboat Rides
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill offers public riverboat rides along the scenic Kentucky River palisades aboard the Dixie Belle, an authentic stern-wheeler. From late April through October, one-hour narrated river cruises take passengers along a stretch of river with high limestone cliffs and untouched natural beauty.
During the tour, the Dixie Belle ventures through the Kentucky River palisades, the oldest exposed rock in Kentucky (between 400 and 450 million years old), and passes under High Bridge, an engineering marvel built in 1877. The 115-passenger riverboat operates from nearby Shaker Landing. Private charters are available.
2008 Dixie Belle Riverboat Rides
Admission: $6.00 per person/free for children under 6
Ride Dates: Daily, June 1 – November 1
Ride Times: 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
Recreation
The Trails at The Trails at Shaker Village provide hikers, runners, bikers and equestrian Shaker Village riders an opportunity to explore 40 miles of marked trails that pass by beautiful views, historical building ruins, spectacular wildflowers and undisturbed wildlife. The extensive trail system includes 23 trails composed of paved roads and gravel and grass paths suitable for a variety of recreational uses.
Wildlife Habitat Trail - Enhance the wildlife habitats around a home by taking the wild habitat trail. Along the trail, see examples of bluebird and duck boxes, fox dens and native grasses, and learn how to use these techniques to develop natural wildlife habitats.
Equestrian Facilities
The Trails at Shaker Village provide 33 miles of well-marked horseback riding trails and 15 miles of carriage-friendly trails. Equestrian trails wind through field and forest terrains. Shaker Village does not provide horses for horseback riding.
Full-service overnight equestrian facilities are available to accommodate horses during guests’ stay at The Inn at Shaker Village. The facility includes heated tack room with hot and cold running water, 20 fully-equipped stalls, stall shavings, 5 large paddocks, trailer parking area and portable restroom facility.
Equestrian Fees
Daily Horseback Riding/Carriage Fee: $7.00 per person
Annual Equestrian Ridding/Carriage Pass: $120.00 per person
Nightly Stall Boarding Fee: $15.00 per horse
Nightly Paddock Boarding Fee: $5.00 per horse
Bird Watching
Shaker Village’s 3,000 acres is a sanctuary for over 125 species of local and migrating birds. The serene environment of the woodlands, native prairie grasses, rolling fields and ponds provides a diverse setting for a wide variety of birds. Spring birds include migrating warblers and neotropical summer residents include Tanagers, Orioles and Indigo Buntings. Summer species found on the property include Bob-O-Links, Henslow’s Sparrows, Grasshopper Sparrows, Dickcissels and Blue Grossbeaks. Fall brings Sandhill Cranes, Woodcocks and migrating waterfowl.
Bird Blind - Watch chickadees, cardinals, blue jays and other wildlife at our bird observation blind. The bird blind is outfitted with one-way glass that allows visitors to view wildlife activity around our feeders.
Wildflowers
Spring wildflower blooming season runs from February through early June, with peak blooms in mid-April. Mid-July brings peak summer wildflower blooms. Spring varieties include Trillium, Fire Pink, Blue Phlox, Bloodroot and Blue-Eyed Mary’s. Summer varieties include Pale Purple Coneflowers, Bergamot, Butterfly Milkweek, Sunflowers and Black-Eyed Susans.
Fishing
Inn guests are invited to fish our stocked pond at their leisure. Shaker Village does not provide fishing poles. A Kentucky state fishing license is required for guests over the age of 16.
Canoeing & Kayaking
Canoes and kayaks are allowed to launch into the Kentucky River from Shaker Landing. See unique views of the palisades along the river, or go deep into the Dix River, a trophy trout stream stocked by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. Shaker Village does not rent canoes or kayaks. Canoes and kayaks are welcome to launch into the Kentucky River from Shaker Landing from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Natural Highlights
Historic Rock Fences - The 25 miles of historic rock fences spread throughout the village constitute the most extensive collection remaining in Kentucky.
Kentucky River - Hike an old roadbed built by the Shakers1826 or drive the scenic paved road to Palisades Shaker Landing. The 400 feet descent into the Kentucky River Gorge travels through millions of years of geological history. Observe several types of limestone and the oldest exposed rock in the state - formations between 400 and 450 million years old.
Along the river’s edge, find river bottom hardwoods, spring waterfalls and the sheer vertical cliffs of the palisades. Explore the river’s diverse ecosystem by foot along the River Road and Palisades Trails or cruise down the river aboard the Dixie Belle riverboat.
Natural Prairies - Dominated by wildflowers, native grasses, butterflies and grassland animals, the village’s 68 acre prairie is an important part of Kentucky’s natural history. Prairies were once prevalent throughout the state. Now they are a unique and vanishing native ecosystem. The prairies are lush with flowering plants from April through October, at its peak in July and alive with migrating birds in September and October. The prairies are located along the 1837 Turnpike Road Trail and the Red Oak Trail.
Native Canebrake - Shaker Village is home to one of the largest canebrakes in Kentucky. Cane, a member of the bamboo family, is a native grass and is the only grass in Kentucky to also be classified as a woody plant. More than 5 acres of native cane can be explored along the Prickly Pear and Shawnee Run Trails.
Abundant Wildlife - Squirrels, chipmunks, foxes, raccoons, rabbits, groundhogs, beavers, coyotes and whitetail deer may be spotted throughout the village. Over 125 species of birds have been identified on the property.
Programs & Events
Nature Programs - Naturalist-guided wildflower walks, birding workshops and other nature events offered throughout the year.
Workshops - Fun and educational workshops are led by highly skilled instructors. Topics covered in these hands-on programs include painting, home orchard cultivating, dry-stone fence building, rug hooking and much more.
Special Events - Special events and other activities are specially designed to entertain visitors. The Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill Antiques Show and Sale, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill Craft Fair, Chamber Music Festival of the Bluegrass, Kentucky Shaker Music Day, Fall Bonfire and Storytelling and Christmas and other events are included in our annual calendar of special events.
Accessibility
Due to the historic and natural features of the area, accessibility to visitors with physical disabilities is limited. Visitors who use a wheelchair or walker are not charged a village admission fee.
The Trustees' Office Dining Room is wheelchair accessible by a lift. The Craft Store and restrooms are also wheelchair accessible. Historic buildings with wheelchair access are limited to the cellar of the Centre Family Dwelling and the Shaker Life Exhibit.
Terrain is uneven. The village has historic limestone walks and gravel paths. All restored buildings have limestone steps, which vary from building to building, from two to ten or more.
Staff
President & CEO: Madge B. Adams
Management Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is operated by Shakertown at Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c) (3) educational corporation. The village is governed by a board of trustees.
Staff Profile Approximately 160 full and part-time employees.
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