Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill – Lexington, KY Attractions

It’s shaping up to be a rather eclectic week. Jazz, contemporary art, opera, and today we’ve got an interpretive history museum? I’m starting to wonder who’s really running this thing?

Tomorrow we’ll get back to more important things (like hamburgers), but for now let’s take a fascinating journey into the American past at the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, just outside of Lexington, Kentucky.

With 34 buildings and 3,000 acres of fitfully-restored farmland, the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, or Shakertown, is the largest restored Shaker community in America today. Like another of our favorite American history attractions, Colonial Williamsburg, the Shaker Village is more than a museum; it is a window into the people and places of another time, blending authentic architecture and artifacts with interpretive performance.

The most impressive attraction is likely the grounds themselves. You’re able to explore 14 original Shaker buildings and over 25 miles of iconic rock fences, also the largest collection in the country. During your tour, guided or not, you’ll learn about the life of the Shakers during the mid-19^th century first hand through the performances of costumed interpreters, whether they’re playing music, making brooms, blacksmithing or simply tending the gardens.

If you’ve had your fill of history, the 3,000 acre community offers plenty more to discover. Nearby woodlands are dense with surprising finds, ideal for nature-walkers, hikers, bikers, birdwatchers and even equestrians. Still there’s more: riverboat rides, lawn games, a slue of events, crafts stores, and even dining (seasonal).

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is open year-round, though attraction availability varies by season. General adult admission is $15 and includes access to the property, guided tours on various subjects, agriculture talks, music performances, craft and trade demonstrations and exhibits of Shaker artifacts. Learn more about the Shaker Village.

Kentucky vacations? We like the Hilton Garden Inn Lexington Hotel for affordability and quality.

Fun Fact: “Simple Gifts”, one of the most recognizable 19^th-century American songs, is actually a Shaker dance song. Though performed and recorded many times, the tune is best known as written by Aaron Copland for the ballet, Appalachian Spring. I think they even played it at Obama’s inauguration. Hear it here.

Image of Centre Family Dwelling by Tom Allen and available under Creative Commons Attibution ShareAlike 2.0 License

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